Northeast Fisheries Science Center Reference Document 09-06
A Bibliography of the Long-Finned Pilot Whale, Globicephala
melas, and the Short-Finned Pilot Whale, Globicephala macrorhynchus,
in the
North Atlantic Ocean
by Frederick W. Wenzel1,
John R. Nicolas1,2, Alan Abend3, and Brett Hayward4,
Compilers
1NOAA National Marine
Fisheries Service,
Northeast
Fisheries
Science
Center,
166 Water Street, Woods Hole, MA 02543
2Current Address: P.O. Box 268 , Cotuit, MA 02635
330 Pauline Street
Randolph,
MA
02368
4801 Atlantic Highway
Northport,
ME
04849
Print
publication date April 2009;
web version posted May 21, 2009
Citation:
Wenzel FW, Nicolas JR, Abend A, Hayward B, Compilers. 2009. A Bibliography of the Long-Finned Pilot Whale, Globicephala melas, and the Short-Finned Pilot Whale, Globicephala
macrorhynchus, in the North Atlantic Ocean. US Dept Commer, Northeast Fish Sci Cent Ref Doc. 09-06; 47 p. Available from: National Marine Fisheries Service, 166 Water Street, Woods Hole, MA 02543-1026.
Information Quality Act Compliance: In accordance with section 515 of Public Law 106-554, the Northeast Fisheries Science Center completed both technical and policy reviews for this report. These predissemination reviews are on file at the NEFSC Editorial Office.
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ABSTRACT
This
manuscript provides a brief description of the two species of pilot whales
(long-finned pilot whales, Globicephala
melas (previously known as G. melaena),
and the short-finned pilot whale (G.
macrorhynchus), found in the
North Atlantic Ocean
.
It then lists scientific publications relating to the biology, behavior,
conservation and management, most of which were published from 1939 to present.
This document focuses primarily on published literature on the distribution and
abundance of the two species throughout the
North Atlantic
Ocean. Literature on
long-finned pilot whales and short-finned pilot whales from other geographic
regions is also included, as readers may gain insight into the research
methodologies and findings of other stocks and populations of these two
species. Unpublished articles or popular books are generally excluded, unless
these contain important information not available elsewhere.
SPECIES
BACKGROUND
Taxonomy
The genus “Globicephala” was so
named because of the globe shaped melon (head). While a number of specific
species names for Globicephala have
been proposed, van Bree (1971) demonstrated that only two species are
recognizable osteologically: G.
macrorhynchus Gray 1846 and G.
melaena Traill, 1809. Most recently,
Jones et al. (1986) proposed a
revision of the species name for the long-finned pilot whale to its original
form, melas. Research papers published prior to the 1990’s
used G. melaena, and more recent
papers used G. melas to describe
long-finned pilot whales (Bernard and Reilly 1999). There are two species of pilot whales in the
North Atlantic Ocean, the
Atlantic
or
long-finned pilot whale, G. melas, and
the short-finned pilot whale, G.
macrorhynchus.
The long-finned pilot whale occurs in two widely disjunctive populations,
one in the
North Atlantic
, the other in the
Southern Hemisphere (between 35° and 60° South latitude (Sergeant
1962; Jefferson et al. 1993). Both populations have similar cranial
features (True 1889), morphology (Sergeant 1962) and color patterns (Davies
1960), but since the two populations are completely isolated, and may show
small color pattern differences,
Davies
(1960) considered them distinct subspecies, G.
m. edwardii. The southern form had
been described as a separate species, G. leucosagmaphora, (literally,
white-saddle-bearing) by Rayner (1939).
Short-finned pilot whales (G.
macrorhynchus) are found in all oceans; they are primarily distributed in warmer
waters than where long-finned pilot whales are found (True 1889; Jefferson et al. 1993). In the North Pacific Ocean, two geographical
forms of short-finned pilot whales are found off
Japan
, differing in external and
cranial morphology (Rice 1998) and may represent separate species or subspecies.
Their exact taxonomic status remains unresolved
(see Scammon 1869; Norris and Prescott 1961; Kasuya et al. 1988; Wada, S. 1988.).
Description
Pilot whales are robust, with a
thick tail stock. The melon (forehead) is exaggerated and bulbous and the beak
is barely discernible or non-existent (Culik 2003). The dorsal fin is wide,
broad based, and falcate (sickle-shaped). The dorsal fin is set well forward on
short-finned pilot whales and set further back on long-finned pilot whales. The
pectoral flippers are long, slender, and are also sickle-shaped. The long-finned pilot whale has extremely
long pectoral fins reaching 18% to 27% of the total body length. The short-finned pilot whale has shorter
pectoral fins (16% to 22% of the total body length); hence their common names
were based on the length of the pectoral fins (True 1889; Sergeant 1962;
Jefferson et al. 1993).
Pilot whales
are predominantly dark grey, brown or black dorsally. In the western
North
Atlantic, short-finned pilot whales most often have a distinct
post-dorsal fin saddle patch and post-orbital off-white blaze which extends
posterior towards the forward insertion of the dorsal fin. Long-finned pilot whales have little or no
post-dorsal fin saddle patch, and a pale or no visible post-orbital blaze pattern. A pale eye blaze is visible in about one
fifth of all adult long-finned pilot whales, occurring most often in males
(Bloch et al. 1993). However, sun angle, observer height over the
water, and sea state often make these nuances difficult to observe. A grey mid-ventral line extends from the
throat into an anchor-shaped chest patch and widens posterior (towards the
tail) to a genital patch (Culik 2003). Sexual dimorphism exists, with longer
flippers and larger flukes in males (Bloch et
al. 1993). Males are considerably larger than females in both species.
The pilot whale is highly
gregarious, usually travelling in socially cohesive groups of 10–50
individuals, but are also encountered in large herds of several hundred and
occasionally of over 1000 individuals (Bloch 1998; Zachariassen 1993). Based on photo-identification and genetic work,
long-finned pilot whales appear to live in relatively stable pods like those of
killer whales (Orcinus orca), and not
in the fluid groups, characteristic of many smaller dolphins species (Canadas
and Sagarminaga 2000; Jefferson et al. 1993). In addition, the pods generally
contain individuals with close matrilineal associations (Amos et al. 1991; 1993; Culik 2003).
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Assembled here are references, with either ABSTRACTs taken directly from
the paper or summaries written by us that provide background material for our
understanding of the geographic range, distribution, and life history of these
two species. There may be two or more
papers with similar title, authors and SUMMARY. This has occurred because, for example, several articles are directly
related to an individual’s PhD dissertation or Master of Science (M.Sc.)
research thesis and both the thesis and articles are referenced, or some
“preliminary results” papers have more complete results/updates years later.
This is not an exhaustive listing, yet encompasses a diverse scope of citations
from multiple sources.
Abend, A.G.
1993. Long-finned pilot whale distribution and
diet
as
determined from stable carbon and nitrogen isotope tracers. [M.Sc. thesis].
University
of
Massachusetts,
Amherst,
MA
;
96 p.
SUMMARY: This thesis explored four objectives: (1) Compile existing sighting and
stranding data sets to generate a distribution map; (2) Present available known
diet history; (3) Test new methodology of diet analysis using stable isotope
tracers; and (4) Use stable isotope tracers to determine the trophic level of
the whales and compare the results between study areas to predict potential
movement between areas.
Abend, A.G.; Smith, T.D.
1995. Differences in ratios of stable isotopes
of nitrogen in long-finned pilot whales (Globicephala
melas), in the western and eastern North
Atlantic.
Int. Counc. Explor. Sea J. Mar. Sci. 52(5):837-841.
ABSTRACT: Naturally occurring nitrogen stable isotopes found in tissues have been
shown to differ among animals feeding on various prey species and at different
trophic levels. The ratio of 15N to14N, expressed
relative to atmospheric nitrogen, is compared for four types of tissues
collected from long-finned pilot whales from three locations in the
North Atlantic. Significant differences in ratios from
skin, muscle, and blubber between animals from the eastern and western
Atlantic
suggest the whales are not feeding at the same
trophic level. That is, there are more
predator-prey relationships separating pilot whales and their primary
production in the western
Atlantic Ocean
than
in other areas. Differences in the
isotope rations for blubber, a lower turnover rate tissue, between whales from
Cape Cod
and the Mid-Atlantic Bight suggest that whales
from these areas were feeding in different areas over the longer term.
Different patterns of variability in nitrogen isotope ratios from pilot whale
teeth among the three regions suggest potentially more complex, longer term
movement patterns.
Abend, A.G.; Smith, T.D.
1997. Differences in ratios of stable isotope
ratios of carbon and nitrogen between long-finned pilot whales (Globicephala melas), and their primary
prey in the western
North Atlantic. Int.
Counc. Explor. Sea J. Mar. Sci. 54(3):500-503.
ABSTRACT:Carbon (13C/12C) and nitrogen (15N/14N)
stable isotope ratios were measured in skin and muscle samples from
free-ranging long-finned pilot whales stranded or caught in fishing gear in two
locations in the western North Atlantic. Samples of the principal pilot whale prey species, long-finned squid and
a secondarily important species, Atlantic mackerel, were collected for stable
isotope analysis from three areas in the western
North
Atlantic. The differences between carbon ratios among prey species
and whale tissues suggest that mackerel comprise a significant proportion of
the diet of pilot whales.
Abend, A.G.; Smith, T.D.
1999. Review of distribution of the
long-finned pilot whale (Globicephala
melas) in the North Atlantic and
Mediterranean.
NOAA/NMFS Tech. Memo. NMFS–NE 117; 22 p.
ABSTRACT:The spatial and seasonal distribution of the long-finned pilot whale (Globicephala melas) in the
North Atlantic
is summarized based on published and some
unpublished data. The data presented
separately for 12 countries and within each country by type of data: 1)
evidential (i.e., sightings strandings, harvests, and bycatches); and 2)
inferential (i.e., oceanographic process, prey occurrences). The locations of
sightings are presented in distribution maps for each country. The locations of several sighting surveys and
other field activities are summarized, seasonal differences are shown and
possible seasonal movement patterns are suggested. The Atlantic-wide distribution is then
summarized, based on these individual country summaries.
Aguilar, A.; Jover, L.; Borrell, A.
1993. Heterogeneities in organochlorine
profiles of Faroese long-finned pilot whales: indication of segregation between
pods? Rep. Int. Whal. Comm. (Special Issue) 14:359-367.
SUMMARY: Blubber samples were analyzed for the presence of organochlorines to
determine differences in pollutant profiles from 114 female long-finned pilot
whales belonging to five schools captured in the
Faroe
Islands
during 1987. Although the heterogeneity observed in the pollutant profile of pods
does not necessarily correspond to the heterogeneous genetic structure of the
population, it suggests the existence of some segregation, geographical,
seasonal or behavioral, between two of the pilot whale schools studied and the
remainder.
Amos, B.; Barrett, J.;
Dover, G.A.
1991. Breeding system and social structure in the
Faroese pilot whale as revealed by DNA fingerprinting. Rep. Int. Whal. Comm. (Special Issue)
13:255-68.
SUMMARY: Authors
found that for 88% of the examined fetuses, all accompanying adult males within these pods could be
excluded as potential fathers; this suggests a high level of gene flow between
pods.
Amos,
B.; Barrett, J.
A.; Bancroft, D.R.; Majures, T.M.O.; Bloch, D.; Desportes, G.;
Dover, G.A.
1993. A review of molecular evidence relating
to social organization and breeding system in the long-finned pilot whale. Rep.
Int. Whal. Comm. (Special Issue) 14:219-231.
SUMMARY: Based on a detailed study of two pods of long-finned pilot whales from the
Faroese drive fishery, there is new evidence that mating appears to occur
reciprocally between pods and there is no evidence of strong reproductive
dominance. Pilot whales exhibit a high
degree of cohesive social structure. The
findings are a result of analysis of DNA fingerprinting, microsatellite polymorphisms
and protein polymorphisms.
Amos, B.; Schlotterer, C.; Tautz, D.
1993. Social structure of pilot whales
revealed by analytical profiling. Science 260:670-672.
SUMMARY: Long-finned pilot whales swim in large, extremely cohesive groups. Molecular typing revealed that pod members
form a single extended family. Mature
males neither disperses from, not mate within, their natal pods. Such behavior could be explained in terms of
inclusive fitness benefits gained by adult males helping the large number of
female relatives with which they swim.
Andersen, L.W.
1988. Electrophoretic differentiation among
local populations of pilot whales, Globicephala
melaena, at the
Faroe Islands.
Can.
J. Zool. 66:1884-1892.
ABSTRACT: Enzyme variation in and between nine schools of long-finned pilot whales, Globicephala melas, caught in the Faroe
Islands, were examined by starch gel electrophoresis. Twenty-seven enzymes were
investigated, representing 41 loci, of which three were polymorphic. The
polymorphic enzymes were analyzed in either liver or muscle tissue from 628
specimens. No heterogeneity within the schools was observed, while significant
differences in allele frequencies between schools were detected by multi-locus
G-test. This result indicates some degree of reproductive isolation.
Andersen,
L.W.; Desportes, G.; Friedrich, U.
1992. Sex identification of long-finned pilot
whale fetuses off the
Faroe Islands. Mar. Mammal
Sci. 8(2):184-7.
SUMMARY: This paper discusses three methods used
to identify the sex of small pilot whale fetuses, and the reliability of these
methods for sex determination.
Andersen, L.W.
1993. Further studies on the population
structure of long-finned pilot whales, Globicephala
melaena, off the
Faroe Islands. Rep. Int.
Whal. Comm. (Special Issue) 14:219-231.
ABSTRACT: A genetic investigation of 31 schools of Globicephala melas off the Faroe Islands was performed using
isozyme electrophoresis to test the hypothesis of one or more stocks in the
northeastern
Atlantic.” Two hypotheses were
suggested. One hypothesis was that two
stocks exist, one that is present year-round and one that comes inshore
seasonally. However, after testing this
hypothesis, no trend was detected. The
second hypothesis to explain population structure, based on the observed heterogeneity
found in the species, was that it could be generated by a regular pattern of
fission and fusion of schools, combined with the migration of mature males
between schools and a strong maternal family structure within schools, possibly
consisting of several family lineages.
Andersen,
L.W.; Siegismund, H.R.
1994. Genetic evidence for migration of males
between schools of long-finned pilot whales, Globicephala melas.
Can.
J. Zool. 105:1-7.
ABSTRACT: The genetic variation at three polymorphic allozyme loci was investigated
in a population sample of approximately 650 long-finned pilot whale (Globicephala melas) caught in the
Faroe
Islands. The sample consisted of
pregnant females, non-pregnant females and males. The genetic variation was
analyzed with a selection component analysis. Using two of the loci, it is
concluded, that the fathers of the fetuses differed geno-typically from the males
found in the schools, indicating that males migrate between schools to mate.
Anonymous.
1990. Report of the Scientific Committee.
Small cetaceans, pilot whales. (Globicephala
melas). Rep. Int. Whal. Comm. 40:73-79.
SUMMARY: The
1987 International Whaling Commission (IWC) Committee meeting report on the
life history and status of pilot whales. Abundance data are not sufficient enough to
make estimates for the entire North Atlantic, but are made for specific areas
within the
North Atlantic.
Anonymous.
1992. Report of the study group on long-finned
pilot whales. Int. Counc. Explor. Sea C.M. 1992N:3; 24 p.
SUMMARY: Report of an International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES)
meeting held 3-4 December 1991,
Montreal. The questions addressed by the study group
were: (a) What are the stocks and where are they, (b) How large are the stocks,
(c) What are the trends in stock size? (d) Describe interactions with other
species.
Anonymous.
1993. Report of the study group on long-finned
pilot whales. Int. Counc. Explor. Sea C.M. 1993N:5; 29 p.
SUMMARY: Report of an ICES meeting held 30 August through 3 September, 1993. The conclusion of the study group were: (a)
conduct an evaluation of the status of long-finned pilot whales in the North
Atlantic (i.e., population size and trends, population dynamics), including the
importance of behavioral factors and accounting for multispecies interactions,
(b) identify key information gaps and critical long term information needs.
Auger-Methe,
M.; Whitehead, H.
2007. The use of natural markings in studies
of long-finned pilot whales (Globicephala
melas). Mar. Mammal Sci. 23(1):77-93.
ABSTRACT:
Photo-identification using natural markings has been used for pilot whale (Globicephala melas)
studies. However, none of these studies investigated the reliability of the
marks used. To identify which mark types are reliable and which could improve
the method, fifteen mark types, and their distribution within the population,
were described. The rates of gain and loss of each mark type were calculated
and the variability in visibility was investigated. Although the mark types
associated with the current photo-identification method, the notch and the
protruding piece, appear to be permanent, they allowed us to identify only 33%
of our sample. The prevalence of all but two mark types is independent of the identify-ability
of a photograph. One of these is already used in the current
photo-identification method. This independence indicates that the proportion of
the population that is currently identifiable does not differ from the rest of
the population in its susceptibility to factors causing marks, such as
predation, and thus appears to be representative of the whole population. Using
saddle patches in combination with the current photo-identification method
would double the percentage of the identifiable individuals. However, due to
limitations of matching software, the current method is easier to use.
Baird, R.W.; Stacey, P.J.
1989. Sightings, strandings and incidental
catches of short-finned pilot whales, Globicephala
macrorhynchus, off the
British
Columbia
coast. Rep. Int. Whal. Comm. (Special Issue)
14:475-479.
SUMMARY: This
short paper lists the sightings, strandings and incidental catch records of
short-finned pilot whales, G. macrorhynchus, within 320km (200 miles) of
the
British Columbia
coast.
Baird, R.W.; Borsani, J.F.; Hanson, M.B.; Tyack, P.L.
2002.
Diving and night time behavior of long-finned pilot whales in the
Ligurian
Sea. Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser. 237:301-305.
ABSTRACT: Pilot
whales Globicephala spp. has long been thought to be deep divers, yet
little information is available on dive depths. During August 1999 we obtained
detailed dive data from suction-cup-attached time-depth recorder/VHF radio tags
deployed on 5 long-finned pilot whales G. melas. Pilot whales were
tagged for short periods (average 5 h ind.-1) in deep (>2000 m)
waters of the
Ligurian
Sea, off the NW coast of
Italy . During the day all 5 whales
spent their time in the top 16 m of the water column, and visible surface
activities consisted primarily of rest and social behaviors. Tags remained
attached after dark on 2 whales and shortly after sunset both whales made
several deep dives (max. 360 and 648 m). Velocity on these deep dives was
greater than during shallow dives either during the day or at night, suggesting
that these deep dives function primarily for foraging. Our results confirm the
supposition that long-finned pilot whales can dive deep, particularly within 2
h after sunset, which is the time that vertically migrating prey become more
readily available as they move closer to the surface.
Baraff, L.S.; Asmutis, R.A.
1998. Long-term association of an individual
long-finned pilot whale and Atlantic white-sided dolphins. Mar. Mammal Sci. 14(1):155-161.
SUMMARY: An
individually identified long-finned pilot whale (Globicepbala melas) associated with
Atlantic white-sided dolphins (Lagenorbyncbus acutus) associated over six consecutive years.
Baron, S.C.; Martinez, A.; Garrison, L.P.; Edward, K.
2008. Differences in acoustic signals from
Delphinids in the western North Atlantic and northern
Gulf
of Mexico. Mar. Mammal Sci. 24(1):42-56.
ABSTRACT: Whistle
characteristics were quantitatively compared between both geographically
separated and neighboring populations of Atlantic spotted dolphins (Stenella frontalis),
bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops
truncatus), and pilot whales (Globicephala spp.) in
U.S.
waters to evaluate if intra-specific acoustic differences exist between groups.
We compared nine whistle characteristics between continental shelf and offshore
Atlantic spotted dolphins in the western North Atlantic and between northern
Gulf of Mexico and western
North Atlantic
bottlenose dolphins and pilot whales using discriminant analysis. Offshore
Atlantic spotted dolphin whistles were significantly different (Hotelling's T2, P= 0.0003) from continental
shelf whistles in high frequency, bandwidth, duration, number of steps, and
number of inflection points. Atlantic bottlenose dolphin whistles were
significantly different (Hotelling's T2, P < 0.0001) from those in the
Gulf of
Mexico
in duration, number of steps, and number of inflection
points. There was no significant difference between pilot whale whistles in the
two basins. The whistle differences indicate acoustic divergence between groups
in different areas that may arise from geographic isolation or habitat
separation between neighboring but genetically distinct populations of
dolphins. This study supports the premise that acoustic differences can be a
tool to evaluate the ecological separation between marine mammal groups in
field studies.
Baum, C.; Simon, F.; Meyer, W.; Fleischer, L.G.; Siebers, D.; Kacza, J.; Seeger, J.
2003. Surface properties of the skin of the pilot
whale, Globicephala melas. Biofouling 19(1):181-186.
ABSTRACT: On the skin surface of delphinids small
biofoulers are challenged to high shear water flow and liquid vapor interfaces
of air-bubbles during jumping. This state of self-cleaning is supported by the
even, nano-rough gel-coated epidermal surface of the skin. In the present study
we focused on the topographic evolution of gel formation and the chemical
composition of the gel smoothing the skin surface of the pilot whale, Globicephala melas. We employed
photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) in combination with cryo-scanning electron
microscopy (CSM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). In the superficial layer of the epidermis,
stratum corneum, intercellular material was shown by electron optical methods
to assemble from smaller into larger covalently cross-linked aggregates during
the transit of the corneocytes towards the skin surface. Employing XPS
measurements, the surface of the skin and the intercellular gel included in
approximately the same amount polar groups (especially, free amines and amides)
and non-polar groups corresponding to the presence of lipid droplets dispersed within
the jelly material. It was concluded from the results obtained that the
gel-coat of the skin surface is a chemically heterogeneous skin product. The
advantages of chemically heterogeneous patches contributing to the ablation of
traces of the biofouling process are discussed.
Beatson, E.L.; O'Shea, S.; Ogle, M.
2007. First report on the stomach contents of
long-finned pilot whales, Globicephala
melas, stranded in
New
Zealand . N. Z. J. Zool. 34:51-56.
SUMMARY: Stomach
contents of five long-finned pilot whale, Globicephala melas, are
reported from stranded individuals on
Farewell Spit, Golden Bay, South Island, New Zealand in December 2005 revealed
a diet comprised exclusively of cephalopods (2-33 lower cephalopod beaks per
stomach). Two genera of cephalopod from two orders; arrow squid, Nototodarus spp. (Teuthoidea: Ommastrephidae), and common octopus, Pinnoctopus
cordiformis (Octopoda: Octopodidae) were represented. A further five pilot
whale stomachs were examined and found to be empty.
Bernard, H.J.; Reilly, S.B.
1999. Pilot whales, Globicephala lesson, 1828. In: Ridgway, S.H. and
Harrison,
R. (eds.). Handbook of Marine Mammals, Vol. 6:245-279.
SUMMARY: This
chapter in the Handbook of Marine Mammals provides a good overview of what is currently
known about both species of pilot whales.
Bjoerke, H.
2001. Predators of the squid Gonatus fabricii (Lichtenstein) in the
Norwegian Sea. Fish. Res. 52(1-2):113-120.
ABSTRACT: Gonatus
fabricii is the most abundant squid of the Arctic and sub-Arctic waters of
the North Atlantic and, during the summer months, young specimens can be found
in the upper 60 m over large areas of the
Norwegian
Sea. In the summer of 1994, the biomass of young G. fabricii in this area was calculated to be at least 1.5 million tons. When the young
squids reach a mantle length (ML) of 50–60 mm, they disappear from the
surface and can be found at depths greater than 400 m. The life span of
both sexes probably does not exceed 2 years, and the largest specimen ever
recorded was a female of 385 mm ML. The biomass production of this species
represents a considerable food resource and their consumption by known
predators such as sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus), northern
bottlenose whales (Hyperoodon ampullatus), long-finned pilot whales (Globicephala
melaena) and hooded seals (Cystophora cristata) is discussed.
Bloch, D.; Desportes, G.; Hoydal, K.; Jean, P.
1989. Pilot whaling in the
Faroe
Islands, July 1986-July 1988. North Atl. Stud. 2:36-44.
SUMMARY: This
paper describes the preliminary findings from the 1986-1988 long-finned pilot
whale hunts in the
Faroe Islands.
Bloch, D.; Hoydal, K.; Joensen, J.S.; Zachariassen, P.
1989. The Faroese catch of long-finned pilot
whale. Bias shown in the 280 year time series. North Atl. Stud. 2:45-46.
SUMMARY: This short note provides insights to
potential bias in the 280 year time series of the
Faroe
Islands
pilot whale hunt.
Bloch, D.
1992. Studies on the long-finned pilot whale
in the Faroe Islands, 1976-1986. Fródskaparrit 38-39:35-61.
SUMMARY: Research
findings from ten years of harvesting pilot whales in the
Faroe
Islands
including; life history, feeding ecology, ecological energetic,
pollutant loads, parasites and population genetics.
Bloch, D.; Desportes, G.; Mouritsen, R.; Skaaning, S.; Stefansson, E.
1993. An introduction to studies on the
ecology and status of the long-finned pilot whale (Globicephala melas) off the Faroe Islands, 1986-1988. Rep. Int.
Whal. Comm. (Special Issue) 14:1-32.
SUMMARY: During
this three year study, observers examined 3,470 pilot whales to look at the status
of the exploited population life history, diet, ecological energetic, pollutant
loads, parasites and population genetics.
Bloch, D.; Lastein, L.
1993. Morphometric segregation of long-finned
pilot whales in the eastern and western
North Atlantic.
Ophelia 38(1):55-68.
ABSTRACT: Discriminant analysis performed on morphometric measurements of pilot whale
showed significant differences between the samples obtained in the Faroe
Islands and
Newfoundland.
Regardless of total body length, pilot whales in
Newfoundland
showed longer skulls (Males: F
= 56.22; p < 0.001. Females: F = 167.00; p <0.001) and shorter torsos
(Males: F = 84.15; p < 0.001. Females: F = 70.56; p <0.001) than Faroese
pilot whales, also regardless of total body length (F = 13.40; p
<0.001). It is suggested that these
differences may be caused by the isolation resulting from the physical barrier
created by the front between the North Atlantic-Irminger Current and the East
Greenland-Labrador Current. The front
moves from south-west to northeast-east and turns north following the
mid-Atlantic Ridge, separating the northern
North Atlantic
in a western and an eastern gyre. This
results in a segregation of the long-finned pilot whales occurring in the
eastern and western parts of the
North Atlantic.
Bloch,
D.; Lockyer, C.; Zachariassen, M.
1993. Age and growth parameters of the
long-finned pilot whale off the
Faroe Islands.
Rep. Int. Whal. Comm. (Special Issue) 14:163-207.
SUMMARY: The age/length/weight
and growth parameters are determined by reviewing the teeth (age), total
weight, total length from over 3,000 pilot whale carcasses from the Faroe
Islands.
Bloch, D.; Zachariassen, M.; Zachariassen, P.
1993. Some external characteristics of the
long-finned pilot whale off Faroe
Islands
and a
comparison with the short-finned pilot whale. Rep. Int. Whal. Comm. (Special
Issue) 14:117-135.
SUMMARY: This paper examined the morphological characteristics and color patterns of
the long-finned pilot whales taken between July 1986 and July 1988 off the
Faroe Islands. Color patterns, blubber thickness,
occurrence of saddle patch and/or blaze, flipper length, fluke length and
dorsal fin height were collected and compared among both species of pilot
whales.
Bloch,
D.
1994. Pilot whales in the
North
Atlantic: Age, growth and social structure in Faroese grinds of
the long-finned pilot whale, Globicephala
melas. [PhD. Dissertation]
Lund
University,
Sweden.
(Available from
Lund
University,
Lund,
Sweden
).
Bloch, D.; Lastein, L.
1995. Modelling the school structure of pilot
whales in the
Faroe Islands, 1832-1994. In:
Blix, A.S., Walløe, L. and Ulltang, U. (eds.). Whales, seals, fish and man:
499-508. Proceedings of the International Symposium on the Biology of Marine
Mammals in the Northeast Atlantic,
Tromsoe,
Norway, 29 November-
1 December, 1994. p. 489. Developments in Marine Biology. Vol. 4, 1995.
ABSTRACT: Background
catch data of the long-finned pilot whale (Globicephala melas)
in the
Faroe Islands
have provided hunting
statistics covering a long time period. Data includes the number of whales landed, and
biological information, such as their weight valuation in skinn (1 skinn = 72
kg). Methods: from 1709 to 1994, skinn values of 87,008 whales are available
from 609 of 1,715 totally landed schools. Skinn and sex have been determined
for 10,102 whales, sexual status for 3,020 whales. The attainment of sexual
maturity is estimated at 9.4 skinn plus or minus 0.01 (males; N = 629), and 5.4
skinn plus or minus 0.00 (females; N = 1,127) and an average male proportion of
29% (females 71%) was found. These data were used to model the sex and maturity
distribution through time. Results and conclusions: years with high number of
schools were related with many whales, but connected with a low annual average whale size.
In periods with a high number of whales and abundant food, the schools
consisted mainly of immature whales and proportionally more males. Local
differences appeared in the average annual whale size corresponding with the
environmental rhythmic variations. A lower annual whale size was found in the southern
district. Finally, peak periods seem to appear at the same time over the entire
North Atlantic.
Bloch, D.; Zachariassen, M.; Zachariassen, P.
1998. Is the stock definition of the
long-finned pilot whale, Globicephala
melas, possible with morphological characters? Int. Counc. Explor. Sea
(ICES) C.M.
Bergen,
Norway, 6 Oct. 1988.
SUMMARY: Three parameters were considered for this stock identification study: color
patterns, morphological characteristics of flippers or flukes, and dorsal fin
length. Only dorsal fin length was found to produce a highly significant
difference among different schools.
Bloch, D.; Jørgensen, M.P.H.; Stefansson, E.; Mikkelsen, M.; Ofstad, L.H.; Dietz, R.; Andersen, L.W.
2003. Short-term movements of long-finned
pilot whales, Globicephala melas,
around the
Faroe Islands. Wildlife Biol. 9(1):47-58.
ABSTRACT: On 15
July 2000, a pod of about 80 long-finned pilot whales Globicephala melas was
driven to the coast at Sandavágur, the
Faroe Islands
(62.055°N, 7.157°W) for the purpose of tagging selected whales with
satellite-linked radio transmitters. A
transmitter was attached to the anterior flank of the dorsal fin of four
beached whales. After the tagging, all four whales were reunited with their pod
and the entire pod was driven to sea. The positions of three of the four whales
were tracked (one for a period of 47 days) and the results show that the whales
separated after a few days and eventually went in different directions. After
10 days, two of the whales were observed together in a pod, and after 19 days
two of the whales were located at positions determined to be within 2.3 km of
each other. The whales showed a strong affinity for the deep water off the
continental shelf. The sex and relatedness of the four, tagged whales were
determined from skin biopsies.
The tagged whales comprised one adult female with one
juvenile in puberty, possibly her male offspring, and two adult males, one of
which could be the offspring or the sibling of the female. The swimming speed
of the whales was estimated at 0.2-14.5 km/hour, and they travelled average
distances of 70-111 km/24 hours with a maximum of 200 km in 24 hours.
Considering the mobility of the whales, it seems likely that the catches that
occur at the Faroe Islands are recruited from a larger area in the
North Atlantic
than previously presumed. This suggests
that the whales are taken from a larger population than that estimated from
coastal areas around the
Faroe Islands, hence
increasing the probability that the harvest is sustainable.
Borrell, A.; Aguilar, A.
1993. DDT and PCB pollution in blubber and
muscle of long-finned pilot whales from the
Faroe Islands.
Rep. Int. Whal. Comm. (Special Issue) 14:351-358.
SUMMARY: Blubber
and muscle tissues were collected and compared from 183 individual pilot whales
and analyzed for organochlorine pollutants.
Borrell,
A.; Bloch, D.; Desportes, G.
1995. Age trends and reproductive transfer of
organochlorine compounds in long-finned pilot whales from the
Faroe
Islands. Environ. Pollut.
88(3):283-292.
ABSTRACT: Total DDT and PCB
concentrations were determined in blubber of 130 long-finned pilot whales, observed
between age and organochlorine concentrations or the ratio of tDDT (total
DDT)/PCB; in contrast, concentrations and ratios in mature females declined
with age, which is attributed to reproductive transfer to their offspring
during gestation and lactation. Relative abundance of DDE respective to tDDT
increased in males and young females and decreased in mature females.
Organochlorine transfer to offspring during lactation was found to represent
about 60-100% of the mother's body load, while that occurring during gestation
was estimated to be much lower, in the range 4-10% of mother's body load.
Transfer rates tended to decrease with mother's age and were, consequently,
much higher in primiparous females than in those that had already given Globicephala melas (100 females and 30
males) from the Faroe Islands (northern north-east Atlantic). In males and
immature females no relation was observed between age and organochlorine
concentrations or the ratio of tDDT (total DDT)/PCB; in contrast,
concentrations and ratios in mature females declined with age, which is
attributed to reproductive transfer to their offspring during gestation and
lactation. Relative abundance of DDE respective to tDDT increased in males and
young females and decreased in mature females. Organochlorine transfer to
offspring during lactation was found to represent about 60-100% of the mother's
body load, while that occurring during gestation was estimated to be much
lower, in the range 4-10% of mother's body load. Transfer rates tended to
decrease with mother's age and were, consequently, much higher in primiparous
females than in those that had already given birth. Transplacental rates were
found to be consistent with the ratio between mother's body weight and neonatal
body weight.
Bossart, G.D.; Walsh, M.T.; Odell, D.K.; Lynch, J.D.; Beusse, D.O.; Friday, R.; Young, W.G.
1991. Histopathologic
findings of a mass stranding of pilot whales (Globicephala macrorhynchus). In: Marine Mammal strandings in the United
States, Proceedings of the Second Marine Mammal Stranding Workshop, Miami, Fl.
Dec. 3-5, 1987. Reynolds, J.E. and D.K. Odell (eds.). NOAA Tech. Rep. NMFS 98.
ABSTRACT: Thirty
short-finned pilot whales (Globicephala
macrorhynchus) stranded on the Gulf coast of
Florida
in 1986. Gross and microscopic
necropsies were preformed on 10 whales. This report describes the
histopathologic findings on these whales. A wide diversity of lesions was present not only within individual
whales, but within the stranding group as a whole. The severity of these
lesions also had a wide range. Pathologic changes included multiorgan
inflammatory and degenerative lesions as well as adrenocortial and lympoid
changes consistent with prolonged stress and possible secondary immunologic
suppression. The histopathologic
findings were often indicative of chronic progressive disease processes
suggesting the existence of disease some time prior to stranding.
Brown, S.G.
1961. Observations of pilot whales in the
North Atlantic Ocean. Nor. Hvalfangsttid. 50(6):225-254.
SUMMARY: Observations of the oceanic range of long-finned pilot whales made from
weather ships, merchant vessels and other ships from the central
North Atlantic Ocean. These data suggest their occurrence throughout the year in the oceanic
waters between 45° and 50° North latitude and probably in
all longitudes from the Bay of Biscay (Europe) to
Newfoundland.
Brown,
S.G.; Jones, S.J.; Boyde, A.
1971. Sightings of cetaceans during two
trans-Atlantic yacht races. J. Cons. Int. Explor. Mer. 31(1):106-120.
SUMMARY: Sightings of cetaceans were logged during two trans-Atlantic yacht races
from Bermuda to
Germany
during July 1966 and 1968. Pilot whales
were continuously sighted during the passage, suggesting continuous
distribution across the
North Atlantic.
Brown,
S.G.
1975. Relation between stranding, mortality
and population abundance of Cetacea in the eastern
Atlantic
Ocean. J. Fish. Res. Board
Can.
32(7):1095-1099.
SUMMARY: The most complete and continuous series of stranding records for the
British coasts, comprising 1,616 strandings, from 1913 to 1972. The harbor porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) was the most numerous (667 strandings, 41%),
with 17 other species representing the remaining 59%, with long-finned pilot
whale, comprising 20% of the British stranding events. The ratio of Irish sightings to strandings is
at least 120:1; the ratio of sightings at weather ship stations to strandings
of long-finned pilot whales (Globicephala
melaena) is at least 150:1.
Buckland,
S.T.; Cattanach, K.L.; Gunnlausson, T.; Sigurjonsson, J.
1993. Abundance and distribution of
long-finned pilot whales in the
North Atlantic,
estimated from NASS 1987 and NASS-1989. In: Donovan, G.P.; Lockyer, C.
H.; Martin, A.R.
(eds.). Biology of Northern Hemisphere Pilot Whales. Rep. Int. Whal. Comm. (Special
Issue) 14: 33-49.
SUMMARY: A population estimate for long-finned pilot whales in the north-eastern
Atlantic
was calculated as a result of two North Atlantic
Sighting Surveys, (NASS 1987, 1989). This paper analyzed pilot whale survey
data collected by three Icelandic vessels and one Faroese vessel in 1987 and
four Icelandic, one Faroese and one Spanish vessel in 1989. The paper discusses potential biases in the
abundance estimates, and the problems of estimating pilot whale abundance from
sightings data.
Caldwell, D.K.; Erdman, D.S.
1963. The pilot whale in the
West
Indies. J. Mamm. 44(1):113-115.
SUMMARY: The paper describes what is known about the occurrence and distribution of short
finned pilot whales in the
West Indies.
Caldwell, D.K.
;
Rathjen, W.F.; Caldwell, M.C.
1970. Pilot whales mass stranded at Nevis,
West Indies. Quart.
J. Fl. Acad. Sci. 33(4):241-243.
SUMMARY: Paper describes the first record of a mass stranding event of 16 short
finned pilot whales on Nevis, West Indies,
Caribbean Sea.
Caldwell,
D.K.; Caldwell, M.C.
1975. Dolphin and small whale fisheries of the
Caribbean and
West Indies: occurrence,
history, and catch statistics - with special reference to the Lesser Antillean
Island of St.Vincent. J. Fish. Res. Board Can. 32(7):1105-1110.
ABSTRACT: Humpback (Megaptera novaeangliae)
whaling, and fishing for smaller cetaceans in the West Indies and
Caribbean
is on the decline, mainly due to economic
factors. These factors are summarized. Catch statistics are tabulated for pilot (Globicephala melaena), killer (Orcinus orca), false killer (Pseudorca crassidens), and sperm whales
(Physeter catodon), along with landed
wt. for mixed catches of dolphins. The pilot whale fishery of
St.
Vincent
has taken 2912 blackfish (Globicephala macrorhynchus) in the period 1962-74 (mean 224 per
annum). Catches occur in all months, but
are lowest in Dec and Jan. 10 other spp. of smaller cetaceans known to be taken in the waters of
St.
Vincent
is listed.
Canadas, A.; Sagarminaga, R.
2000. The northeastern
Alboran
Sea, an important breeding and feeding
ground for the long-finned pilot whale (Globicephala
melas) in the
Mediterranean Sea. Mar. Mammal
Sci., 16(3):513–529.
ABSTRACT: Little is known about the long-finned pilot whale's population size,
structure, distribution, and dynamics in the
Western
Mediterranean
basin. The research region covered since 1992 in
southeast
Spain, at the edge
of the
Alboran
Sea,
is considered an important oceanographic transition zone between the
Mediterranean and the
Atlantic Ocean. The research
ship Toftevaag carried out surveys covering a total of 10,173 nmi (18,840 km)
from April to September each year, 1992-1997, all years pooled. Effort for
ten-by-ten-mile quadrants was stratified by depth and sea state to ascertain
encounter rates. Tracking was used together with photo-identification of
animals to analyze home range of groups. Behavior was recorded ad libitum, and
underwater video taping was used to analyze specific behavior patterns. One
hundred and nine sightings of pilot whales were made. The average group
size was 41.4 plus or minus 58.4, ranging from 1 to 350. The average depth at
encounters was 848.7 plus or minus 281.2 m ranging from 300 to 1,800 m.
Comparison of results for encounter rate and group size with those for other
Mediterranean regions, together with site fidelity shown by
photo-identification and observations of reproductive behavior, reflect the
importance of the Alboran Sea to this species in the Mediterranean.
Canadas, A.; Sagarminaga, R.; García-Tíscar, S.
2002. Cetacean distribution related with depth
and slope in the Mediterranean waters off southern
Spain . Deep-Sea Res. I, Oceanogr.
Res. Pap. 49(11):2053-2073.
ABSTRACT:
The northeastern section of the
Alboran
Sea
is currently under
consideration as a Special Area for Conservation under the European Union's
Habitat Directive. Within this framework, the present study focuses on
the distribution of cetaceans in this area and is part of the Spanish Ministry
of the Environment's “Program for the Identification of Areas of Special
Interest for the Conservation of Cetaceans in the Spanish Mediterranean”. Shipboard visual surveys were conducted in
1992 and from 1995 to 2001 in the north-eastern
Alboran
Sea,
covering 14,409 km. A total of 1,134 sightings of cetaceans were made.
From the data collected, the distribution of seven species of odontocete was
examined with respect to two physiographic variables, water depth and slope.
Analyses of χ2 and fitting of GLMs demonstrated significant differences in
distribution for all species, mainly with respect to depth. Kruskal–Wallis
tests, factor analysis and discriminate function analysis showed that the
species could be classified in two major groups, shallow-waters (short-beaked
common dolphin and bottlenose dolphin) and deep-waters (striped dolphin,
Risso's dolphin, long-finned pilot whale, sperm whale and beaked whale),
respectively. Preferred habitats in terms of water depth were areas deeper than
600 m for the deep-water group, and the shallower ranges from shore to
400 m for the other. The distribution of cetaceans was further matched
with that of their most common prey in order to establish which habitats could
be considered important for their feeding. The resulting analysis highlighted
two areas in the region as important habitats for the conservation of the most
vulnerable species in the
Mediterranean, the
bottlenose and the common dolphin.
Caurant,
F.; Amiard-Triquet, C.; Amiard, J.C.
1993. Factors influencing the accumulation of
metals in pilot whales (Globicephala
melas) off the
Faroe Islands. Rep. Int.
Whal. Comm. (Special Issue) 14:369-390.
SUMMARY: Arsenic, copper, selenium, zinc, cadmium and mercury were analyzed from the
tissues of 131 individual pilot whales (Globicephala melas) off the
Faroe Islands. Factors including prey, age, and reproductive status were looked at in
order to determine influencing factors for the accumulation of these metals.
Caurant, F.; Amiard, J.C.; Amiard-Triquet, C.; Sauriau, P.G.
1994. Ecological and biological factors
controlling the concentrations of trace elements (As, Cd, Cu, Hg, Se, Zn) in
delphinids Globicephala melas from
the
North Atlantic Ocean. Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser.
103:207–219.
ABSTRACT:Trace
elements (As, Cd, Cu, Hg, Se and Zn) were determined in liver and kidney of
pilot whales Globicephala melas Traill, 1809 collected from 7 schools caught at different seasons around the
Faroe Islands. These and other biological data at our disposal enabled us to
confirm and to define more accurately the relations shown previously between
age, sex and trace element concentrations in marine mammals. The most striking
features were: (1) the elevated levels of Cd and Hg in pilot whales compared to
other marine mammals and to minimum adverse-effect levels established for
humans; (2) the bio-cumulative behaviour of Cd and Hg; (3) the high
correlations between Hg and Se, predominantly influenced by age; and (4) the
high correlations between Cd and Zn, the levels of which appear to be mainly
dependent on the school to which the specimens belong. This last may be
tentatively attributed to the fact that the schools sampled correspond to
different sub-populations with different genetic characteristics. The apparent metal tolerance of pilot whales
and the health consequences to consumers of marine mammal’s meat are discussed.
Cetacean
and Turtle Assessment Program (CeTAP). 1982. A characterization of
marine mammals and turtles in the Mid and North Atlantic areas of the United
States outer continental shelf, Final report. NOAA Contract No. AA551-CT8-48.
Washington
D.C.
Bureau of Land Management; 538 p.
SUMMARY: The Cetacean and Turtle Assessment
Program (CeTAP) study encompassed 81,154
square nautical survey miles and was conducted between 1979 and 1982. The
objective of the intense aerial and shipboard survey was to describe the
distribution and abundance, and generate population estimates of marine mammal species
on the
U.S.
outer
continental shelf between
Cape Hatteras,
North Carolina
and
Nova Scotia,
Canada.
Church,
T.N.; Mooers, C.N.K.; Voorhis, A.D.
1984. Exchange processes over a Mid-Atlantic
shelf break canyon. Estuarine Coastal Shelf Sci., 19(4):393-411.
SUMMARY: A synoptic oceanographic study was conducted in August 1978 at the Middle
Atlantic shelf break along the shelf-slope front and over the
Wilmington
Canyon.
Two distinct mixing regimes appear to provide some of the common means for
water exchange across the shelf-slope front. This high primary productivity at
the front seems linked to the cold pool and its nutrient supplies and in our
opinion may be an important habitat for odontocetes, especially pilot whales.
Ciano, J.N.; Jøorgensen, R.
2000. Observations on an interaction between a
humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae)
and pilot whales (Globicephala melas).
Mar. Mammal Sci. 16(1):245-248.
SUMMARY: A
short note on the behavior and interactions between a group of pilot whales and
a humpback whale off the coast of
Norway . The event was one of high speed (the vessel
traveled at a speed of 6 knots to keep up with the event), and high intensity.
Culik, B.
2003. Globicephala
melas, Traill 1809. Review on Small Cetaceans: Distribution, Behaviour,
Migration and Threats. [Online]. Compiled for the Convention on Migratory Species
(CMS). Available from: http://www.cms.int/publications/culik_report.htm.
SUMMARY: An overview of what is currently known about pilot whale distribution,
behaviour, migration and threats.
Dam, M.; Bloch, D.
2000. Screening of mercury and persistent organochlorine
pollutants in long-finned pilot whale (Globicephala
melas) in the
Faroe Islands. Mar. Pollut.
Bull. 40(12):1090-1099.
ABSTRACT: Results of mercury and organochlorine analyses in pooled
muscle and blubber samples representing in all 417 long-finned pilot whales (Globicephala
melas) sampled in 1997 in the
Faroe Islands
are presented. The 28 pooled muscle samples from (in all) 9 pods were analyzed
for total mercury and the same number of pooled blubber samples were analyzed
for PCB (IUPAC CBs no. 28, 52, 99, 101, 105, 118, 128, 138, 153, 170, 180, 183
and 187), p,p′-DDT and metabolites and o,p′-DDT
and metabolites, cis (α) and trans (γ)-chlordane, cis-
and trans-nonachlor, oxychlordane, mirex, hexachlorobenzene, β-HCH
and toxaphene (Parlars no. 26 (T2), 32, 50 (T12), 62 (T20) and 69.
Davies, J.L.
1960. The southern form of pilot whale. J. Mamm. 41(1):29-34.
SUMMARY: Davies compared the
North Atlantic
and southern hemisphere pilot whales and found similarities, but since the two
populations are completely isolated, and showed small color pattern
differences, he called the southern hemisphere pilot whale a distinct
subspecies, G. m. edwardii.
de Stephanis, R.; García-Tíscar, S.; Verborgh, P.; Esteban-Pavo, R.; Pérez, S.; Minvielle-Sebastia, L.; Guinet, C.
2008. Diet of the social groups of long-finned
pilot whales (Globicephala melas) in
the
Strait
of
Gibraltar. Mar. Biol. 154:603–612.
ABSTRACT: The
Strait
of
Gibraltar
is inhabited throughout the
year by a group of pilot whales (Globicephala
melas), but their spatial distribution varies between summer and autumn. In
this paper, we have used carbon (13C/12C) and nitrogen (15N/14N) stable isotope
signatures to investigate the differences in diet amongst seasons, sex and
stable social units. Skin samples were collected from 56 individually
photo-identified pilot whales during autumn 2005 and summer 2006. These
individuals were genetically sexed and their isotopic signature determined. The
levels of inter-individual association both within and between stable social
units were compared to Euclidean distances between individual isotopes
signatures. No differences in either d15N or d13C were found according to the
sex of individuals, but significant seasonal differences were found in d15N, although
not in the d13C values. This suggests that pilot whales are resident year round
in the Strait, a finding supported by independent photo-identification. The
variation in d15N could reflect a shift in pilot whale diet through the year,
with pilot whales feeding at a higher trophic level in autumn compared to
summer. This could also represent a change in the diet of pilot whale prey
species. The d13C values were significantly different amongst the four stable
social unit’s sampled and individual d13C values were significantly related to
the level of inter-individual association, while no relationship was found for
d15N. These results suggest that within the same general area (i.e., the
Strait
of
Gibraltar
), there is some level of
specialization in habitat or prey choice between pilot whales social units.
Desportes, G.
1989. Pilot whale in the
Faroe
Islands: Presentation and preliminary results. North Atl. Stud.
2:47-54.
SUMMARY: Preliminary results from the 1986-1988 pilot whale hunt in the Faroes,
which looked at the status of the exploited population with aspects of its life
history, including feeding, pollutant loads, parasites
and population genetics.
Desportes, G.; Bloch, D.; Andersen, A.W.; Mouritsen, R.
1993. The international research program on
the ecology and status of the long-finned pilot whale off the
Faroe
Islands.
Copenhagen,
Denmark: Int. Counc. Explor. Sea ICES) Study Group on
Pilot Whales; 21 p.
SUMMARY: This report summarizes the International
Council for the Exploration of the Sea, (ICES), research program which was
studying the ecological status of the long-finned pilot whale off the
Faroe Islands.
Desportes, G.; Saboureau, M.; Lacroix, A.
1993. Reproductive maturity and seasonality of
male long-finned pilot whales, off the
Faroe Islands.
Rep. Int. Whal. Comm. (Special Issue) 14:233-62.
SUMMARY: This paper reports on the reproductive seasonality and activity based on
data collected on 1,148 male pilot whales collected over a three year period.
Desportes, G.; Mouritsen, R.
1993. Preliminary results on the diet of
long-finned pilot whales off the
Faroe Islands.
Rep. Int. Whal. Comm. (Special Issue) 14:305-324.
SUMMARY: The
diet of long-finned pilot whales is described based on 857 stomachs collected
in the Faroes drive fishery. All months
of the year are covered.
Desportes,
G.; Andersen, L.W.; Aspholm, P.E.; Bloch, D.; Mouritsen, R.
1994. A note about a male-only pilot whale
school observed in the
Faroe Islands.
Fróðskaparrit 40 (1992):31-37.
SUMMARY: A male-only school of long finned pilot whales was observed in the
drive fishery of the
Faroe Islands.
Desportes, G.; Andersen, L.W.; Bloch, D.
1994. Variation in foetal and postnatal sex
ratios in long-finned pilot whales. Ophelia 39(3):183-196.
ABSTRACT: Variation in foetal and postnatal sex ratios was examined jointly
within the 1986-1988 Faroese international research programs on the ecology and
status of the long-finned pilot whale (Globicephala melas). Data were obtained from 58 schools of whales
landed in the
Faroe Islands
from 1958 to
1992. The sample included 505 embryos
and foetuses. Variation in foetal sex
ratios was analyzed according to gestational age, mother’s age and years. Foetal and postnatal sex ratios from pilot
whales off the Faroe Islands were compared with those obtained off
Newfoundland
by Sergeant
(1962).
The overall foetal sex ratio was biased
significantly towards more females than males. The proportion of male foetuses declined as the size of foetuses
increased. Females older than 25 years
of age in comparison to younger females bore more female than male
foetuses. From birth, through the first
three years of life, selection acted mainly against females and parity was
observed again in the age group 3 and maintained until the age group 10. Annual variation may occur. For similar season, at a 30 year interval,
foetal sex ratio differed significantly between the Faroese and
Newfoundland
(46.9% and
58.8%) respectively, more male fetuses.
The relative higher mortality of male than
female foetuses suggest, that a significant overall foetal mortality occurs,
which has to be taken into account when estimating fecundity.
Doksæter, L.; Olsen, E.; Nøttestad, L.; Fernö, A.
2008. Distribution and feeding ecology of
dolphins along the Mid-Atlantic Ridge between
Iceland
and the
Azores.
Deep
Sea
Research Part II:
Topical Studies in Oceanography. 55(1-2):243-253.
ABSTRACT: During Leg 1 of the MAR-ECO
expedition on the R.V. G.O. Sars in June 2004, four main species of dolphins
were observed along the Mid-Atlantic Ridge from Iceland to the Azores: pilot
whale (Globicephala melas) (n=326),
short-beaked common dolphin (Delphinus
delphis) (n=273), white-sided dolphin (Lagenorhynchus
acutus) (n=103), and striped dolphin (Stenella
coeruleoalba) (n=86). Pilot whales and white-sided dolphins were found in
cold (5–16 °C) and less-saline (34.6–35.8‰) water masses in the northern
part of the study area, whereas common and striped dolphins inhabited warmer
(12–22 °C) and more-saline (34.8–36.7‰) waters in the south. Dolphins
tended to aggregate in areas of steep slopes, but actual bottom depth appeared
to be less important. Based on spatial correlations between dolphin occurrence
and candidate prey organisms recorded acoustically and by midwater trawling,
mesopelagic fishes and squids were assumed to be important prey
items, with Benthosema glaciale probably being the most important prey for
pilot whales and white-sided dolphins, while Lampanyctus macdonaldi, Stomias
boa ferox and Chauliodus sloani were probably of particular importance for
common dolphins. Cephalopods, especially Gonatus sp. and Teuthowenia megalops were the most likely prey species of pilot whales and striped dolphins,
respectively. The difference in physical habitat north and south of the
Sub-polar Frontal Zone seemed to have important effects on prey distribution
, in turn influencing
dolphin distribution.
Donovan, G.P.
1991. A
review of IWC stock boundaries. Rep. Int. Whal. Comm. (Special Issue) 13:39-68.
SUMMARY: This document reviewed the current stock boundaries used by the
International Whaling Commission (IWC). The review is intended to provide the
background to the IWC decision to fund work on the use of biochemical
techniques to examine stock identity as a priority in its Comprehensive
Assessment Program.
Donovan, G.P.; Lockyer, C. H.; Martin, A.R.,
eds. 1993. Biology of the Northern Hemisphere
Pilot Whales. Rep. Int. Whal. Comm. (Special Issue) 14, 479 p.
SUMMARY: This
volume in IWC’s Special Series arose from discussions in the sub-committee on
small cetaceans of the IWC’s Scientific Committee. This Special
Issue 14, contains 23 papers relevant to aspects of life history,
population structure, chemical analysis of tissues and pilot whale fishery
interactions.
Duignan, P.J.; House, C.; Geraci, J.
R.; Early, G.; Copland, H.G.; Walsh, M.T.; Bossart, G.D.; Cray, C.; Sadove, S.; St. Aubin, D.J.; Moore, M.J.
1995. Morbillivirus infection in two species of
pilot whale (Globicephala sp.) from the western
Atlantic.
Mar. Mammal Sci. 11(2):150-162.
ABSTRACT:
We report evidence of enzootic morbillivirus infection among long-finned, Globicephala melas,
and short-finned, G.
macrorhynchus, pilot whales in the western
Atlantic.
A retrospective serologic survey, using five morbilliviruses, was carried out
on 99 G. melas from 14 stranding events between 1982 and 1993 and from 25 G. macrorhynchus stranded in 5
events between 1986 and 1994. A blood sample was also obtained from an adult G. melas by-caught in
the western
North Atlantic. Tissues were
collected from 24 G. melas and 15 G. macrorhynchus for histology and immunoperoxidase staining. Neutralizing antibody titers were
found in 92 (92%) of 100 G.
melas and 16 (64%) of 25 G. macrorhynchus, and titers were highest against cetacean
morbilliviruses. Seroprevalence was similar between age classes and sexes. The
earliest evidence of infection was in a G. melas that stranded in 1982. Stable antibody titers were
observed in pilot whales under rehabilitation for up to eight months. Clinical
disease consistent with morbillivirus pneumonia was detected in a G. melas calf.
Immunoperoxidase staining confirmed that viral antigen was present in the
lesions. The authors propose that
enzootic infection in pilot whales is facilitated by population size, social
structure, and migration patterns. Furthermore, through mixing with other
odontocetes, pilot whales could act as vectors through the
Atlantic.
Clinical morbillivirus infection may precipitate mass strandings of highly
social odontocetes.
Evans, P.G.H.
1980. Cetaceans in British waters. Mamm. Rev.
10(1):1-52.
SUMMARY: This
paper provides marine mammal sighting and stranding records from 1958 to 1978
including pilot whales from the British waters.
Fairfield, C.P.
;
Waring, G.T.; Sano, M.H.
1993. Pilot whales incidentally taken during
the distant water fleet Atlantic mackerel fishery in the mid-Atlantic Bight, 1984-1988.
Rep. Int. Whal. Comm. (Special Issue) 14:107-116.
SUMMARY: Pilot whales have been reported as incidental takes in the U.S. North
Atlantic Distant Water Fleet mackerel fishery since 1977. The number of takes was anomalously high
during 1988. This document investigates potential causes for the high rate of fishery
interactions which were concentrated from
Baltimore
Canyon
north to
Welker
Canyon.
Fehring,
W.K.; Wells, R.S.
1976. A
series of strandings by a single herd of pilot whales on the west coast of
Florida. J. Mamm. 57(1):191-194.
SUMMARY: Between 19 August and 25 August, 1971, there occurred on the lower west
coast of
Florida
a series of attempted strandings by a single herd of short-finned pilot whales, Globicephala macrorhynchus. In each case the whales were prevented from
beaching by human observers.
Foote,
A.D.
2008. Mortality rate acceleration and post-reproductive
lifespan in matrilineal whale species. Biol.
Lett. 4(2):189-191.
ABSTRACT: The strength of selection to increase the span of a life stage is dependent
upon individuals at that stage being able to contribute towards individual
fitness and the probability of their surviving to that stage. Complete
reproductive cessation and a long post-reproductive female lifespan as found in
humans are also found in killer whale (Orcinus
orca) and short-finned pilot whale (Globicephala macrorhynchus), but not in the
long-finned pilot
whale (Globicephala melaena). Each species forms
kin-based, stable matrilineal groups and exhibits kin-directed behaviours that
could increase inclusive fitness. Here, the initial mortality rate and
mortality rate-doubling time of females of these three closely related whale
species are compared. The initial mortality rate shows little variation among pilot whale
species; however mortality rate accelerates almost twice as fast in the
long-finned pilot
whale as it does in killer whale and short-finned pilot whale.
Selection for a long post-reproductive female lifespan in matrilineal whales
may therefore be determined by the proportion of females surviving past the
point of reproductive cessation.
Fullard, K.J.; Early, G.; Heide-Jørgensen, M.P.; Bloch, D.; Rosing-Asvid, A.; Amos, W.
2000. Population structure of long-finned
pilot whales in the
North Atlantic: a
correlation with sea surface temperature? Mol. Ecol. 9(7):949-958.
ABSTRACT:
The long-finned pilot whale, Globicephala
melas, is a social, pelagic odontocete distributed widely in the
cold temperate waters of the
North Atlantic.
Despite genetic, morphometric, physiological and observational studies, it
remains unclear whether any population substructure exists. We have used eight
highly polymorphic microsatellite loci to analyze samples from four disparate
sampling sites: USA East Coast (Cape Cod), West Greenland, the Faeroe Islands
and the
UK.
Our results indicate that substructure does exist, and is particularly
pronounced between
West Greenland
and other
sites. The magnitudes of the various pair wise comparisons do not support a
simple isolation-by-distance model. Instead, the patterns of genetic
differentiation suggest that population isolation occurs between areas of the
ocean which differ in sea surface temperature. Such a mechanism is supported by
the observation that temperature is a primary factor determining the relative
distributions of two short-finned pilot whale (G. macrorhynchus) populations off
the Pacific coast of
Japan.
Gannon, D.P.; Read, A.J.; Craddock, J.E.; Firstrup, K.M.; Nicolas, J.
R.
1997. Feeding ecology of long-finned pilot
whales, Globicephala melas, in the
western
North Atlantic. Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser.
148:1-10.
ABSTRACT: Stomach contents from 30 long-finned pilot whales Globicephala melas captured incidentally in the Distant Water Fleet (DWF) mackerel fishery off the
northeastern
United States
were examined. Several methods of assessing prey importance were used in order
to construct a true representation of the pilot whale diet. Separate analyses
of trace (free, durable body parts from well-digested prey) and non-trace
(relatively intact prey) food materials were conducted to address biases caused
by differential rates of digestion and passage. Squids dominated the diet and
long-finned squid Loligo pealei was the most important prey, but we
noted large yearly fluctuations in prey importance. Metric multidimensional
scaling analyses of trace and non-trace stomach contents of individual whales
suggest that many animals were caught while feeding opportunistically near
fishing operations, resulting in a bias of non-trace (intact) stomach contents.
The diversity of prey in this study was greater than previous reports of the
food habits of western
North Atlantic
long-finned pilot whales.
Gannon, D.P.; Read, A.J.; Craddock, J.E.; Mead, J.G.
1997. Stomach contents of long-finned pilot
whales (Globicephala melas) stranded
on the
US
mid-Atlantic coast. Mar. Mamm. Sci. 13(3):405-413.
ABSTRACT:
Ten prey taxa were recorded from the stomach contents of eight long-finned
pilot whales (Globicephala
melas) independently stranded along the
U.S.
mid-Atlantic coast. Relative
importance of prey species was determined by methods that incorporate prey
frequencies of occurrence, proportions of numerical abundance, and proportions
of reconstructed mass. Separate analyses of trace (free, durable body parts
representing well-digested prey items) and non-trace (relatively intact prey
specimens) food material were conducted in order to address biases caused by
differential rates of digestion and passage through the gastrointestinal tract.
Different measures of prey importance yielded varying results, but the
long-finned squid (Loligo
pealei) was the most important prey species regardless of how prey
importance was defined. Fishes were relatively unimportant in the diet. Our
results indicate that the diets of western
North Atlantic
long-finned pilot whales differ substantially from what has been previously
reported in the literature and that results from food-habits studies that
utilize different techniques may not be comparable.
Garrison,
L.P.
2007. Interactions between marine mammals and
pelagic longline fishing gear in the U.S. Atlantic Ocean between 1992 and 2004.
Fish. Bull. 105(3):408-417.
ABSTRACT: The U.S. East Coast pelagic longline fishery has a history of interactions
with marine mammals, where animals are hooked and entangled in longline gear. Pilot
whales (Globicephala spp.) and Risso's dolphin (Grampus griseus) are the primary species
that interact with longline gear. Logistic regression was used to assess the
environmental and gear characteristics that influence interaction rates. Pilot whale
interactions were correlated with warm water temperatures, proximity to the
shelf break, mainline lengths greater than 20 nautical miles, and damage to
swordfish catch. The incidental bycatch of marine mammals is likely associated
with depredation of the commercial catch and is increased by the overlap
between marine mammal and target species habitats. Altering gear
characteristics and fishery practices may mitigate incidental bycatch and
reduce economic losses due to depredation.
Geraci, J.
R.; St. Aubin, D.J.
1977. Mass stranding of long-finned of pilot
whales, Globicephala melaena, on
Sable Island,
Nova
Scotia. J.
Fish. Res. Board
Can.
34:2196-2199.
SUMMARY: On December 23, 1976, a herd of over 130 long-finned pilot whales, (Globicephala melaena) became stranded
on
Sable Island,
Nova Scotia. Data on sex, length, and
maximum girth, as well as skin and blubber samples for hydrocarbon analysis
were collected from 116 carcasses.
Gonzalez, A.F.; Lopez, A.; Valeiras, X.
2000. First recorded mass stranding of
short-finned pilot whales (Globicephala
macrorhynchus Gray, 1846) in the northeastern
Atlantic.
Mar. Mamm. Sci. 16(3):640-646.
ABSTRACT: The short-finned pilot whale is distributed in the tropical and warm temperate
waters of the Atlantic, Pacific, and
Indian
Oceans. To date, there
has been no evidence of the presence of short-finned pilot whales off the northwestern coast
of the Iberian Peninsula (Galicia), as indicated by the complete
absence of sightings or strandings in this area among the 1,200 strandings of
marine mammals recorded for the period 1990-1999 (Gonzalez, unpublished data).
The long-finned pilot whale, Globicephala melas, is a common cetacean in Galician
waters; thirty-three strandings have been reported since 1990 (Gonzalez,
unpublished data). The authors describe the first recorded mass stranding of
short-finned pilot
whales in the northeastern
Atlantic.
Observation and rescue of the surviving animals are described, and hypotheses
of the possible causes of the mass stranding are discussed.
Goodall, R.N.P.; Macnie, S.V.
1998. Sightings of pilot whales off
South America, South of 300S: A review of data to 1988.
Rep. Int. Whal. Comm. 48:565-579. SC/49/027
SUMMARY: A collection of opportunistic sightings,
strandings and historical records from the South Pacific, South Atlantic,
Sub-Antarctic and Antarctic-Southern Ocean of the two species of pilot whales
in order to look at distribution and species overlap.
Gowans, S.; Whitehead, H.
M. 1995. Distribution and habitat partitioning
by small odontocetes in the Gully, a submarine canyon on the Scotian Shelf.
Can.
J. Zool. 73: 1599-1608.
SUMMARY: The authors examined the summer distribution of three species of small
odontocetes in the highly productive waters in and near the Gully, a submarine
canyon on the edge of the Scotian Shelf. Atlantic white-sided dolphins and
common dolphins were not randomly distributed with respect to depth, sea-floor
relief, month of sighting, or sea surface temperature. Long-finned pilot whales
were not randomly distributed with respect to month or sea-surface temperature.
Pilot whales ranged widely over the study area preferring areas with fairly
flat relief and were more common later in the summer, when the waters were
warmer. It appears that white-sided dolphins and common dolphins partition the
Gulley temporally but not geographically.
Hain, J.H.W.; Leatherwood, S.
1982. Two sightings of white pilot whales, Globicephala melaena, and summarized records
of anomalously white cetaceans. J. Mamm.,
63(2):338-343.
SUMMARY: Observation records
of anomalously white cetaceans including pilot whales.
Hain,
J.H.W.; Hyman, M.; Winn, H.E.
1985. The role of cetaceans in the shelf edge
region of the northeastern
United
States. Mar. Fish. Rev. 47(1):13-17.
SUMMARY: This study examines the role of cetaceans on the shelf break region of the
northeastern
United States
between the 91 and 2,000 meter contours from
Cape Hatteras
N.C.
to the eastern tip of
Georges
Bank. This paper summarizes aspects of the findings from the CeTAP
report. Pilot whales are not identified
to species.
Hashmi, D.D.K.
1990. Habitat selection of cetaceans in the
Strait
of
Gibraltar. Presentation at the Fourth
Annual Conf. of the European Cetacean Society,
Palma de Mallorca,
Spain.
SUMMARY: The long-finned pilot whale expressed the least tolerance for habitat
selection and was almost exclusively found on the African continental slope in
waters between 700-900m.
Hay, K.
1982. Aerial line-transect estimates of
abundance of humpback, fin, and long-finned pilot whales in the
Newfoundland-Labrador area. Rep. Int. Whal. Comm. 32:475-86.
SUMMARY: This
paper provides early population estimates for long-finned pilot whales off
Newfoundland-Labrador,
Canada.
Heide-Jørgensen, M.P.; Bloch, D.; Stefansson, E.; Mikkelsen, B.; Ofstad, L.H.; Dietz, R.
2002. Diving behaviour of long-finned pilot
whales Globicephala melas around the
Faroe Islands. Wild. Biol. 8(4):307-313.
ABSTRACT:Three
long-finned pilot whales Globicephala melas were equipped with
satellite-linked time-depth recorders on the
Faroe Islands
on 15 July 2000. The purpose was to study the diving behaviour and habitat use
of free-ranging pilot whales in the northeast
Atlantic.
Summarized data on the diving behaviour of the whales were collected for up to
129 6-hour periods. The maximum depth of dives was 828 m and the mean number of
dives below 12 m was 12.2/hour (SD = 8.2). On average, the whales spent 60% of
their time above 7 m depth. All three whales had significantly longer surface
times when they were outside the continental shelf than when they were on the
shelf. The mean vertical speeds ranged from 0.9 m/second for dives to 150 m to
2.3 m/second for dives to 600 m. No dives below 12 m lasted longer than 18
minutes, and more than 60% of dives lasted less than three minutes. The mean
number of dives that lasted less than one minute was significantly higher in
offshore areas than on the continental slope for all three whales. Compared to
other odontocetes of similar size, long-finned pilot whales apparently either
have a lower dive capacity or utilize a niche in the water column that requires
less diving activity.
Heide-Jørgensen, M.P.; Bunch, C.
1991. Occurrence and hunting of pilot whales
in
Greenland. J. Cons. Int. Explor. Mer., Study Group on Pilot Whales. 3-5 Dec., 1991.
SUMMARY: This paper provides background information of the sightings, occurrence and
hunting of pilot whales in waters off
Greenland.
Heimlich-Boran,
J.R.
1993. Social organization of the short-finned
pilot whale, Globicephala macrorhynchus,
with special reference to the comparative social ecology of delphinids. [PhD
Dissertation]
University
of
Cambridge, Dept of Zoology,
Cambridge,
England.
Heimlich-Boran, J.R.; Heimlich-Boran, S.L.
1990. Occurrence and group structure of
short-finned pilot whales Globicephala
macrorhynchus off the western coast of Tenerife,
Canary
Islands. European Research on Cetaceans. 4th. Annu. Conf. of the
European Cetacean Society, Palma de Mallorca (
Spain
), 2-4 Mar 1990.
ABSTRACT:This is a preliminary report of a 2-year study of a
free-ranging group of short-finned pilot whales off the western coast of
Tenerife in the
Canary
Island
archipelago. This
paper reports on the initial findings of occurrence and group structure which
will form the basis for an on-going study of the behavioural ecology of this
species. Although these results are preliminary, they suggest that short-finned
pilot whales off
Tenerife
exist in somewhat
stable subgroups. At this point, the degree of mixing between groups appears to
be high, superficially more similar to the semi-fluid groups observed in
bottle-nosed dolphins than to highly stable killer whale groups. The large
number of new animals observed indicates a very large population of pilot whales
in the region or a fluid and more open population with a cycling of temporary
membership. It will be critical to identify the distribution range of specific
groups.
Hernandez-García, V.; Martin, V.
1994. Stomach contents
of two short-finned pilot whale (Globicephala macrorhynchus Gray, 1846)
(Cetacea, Delphinidae) off the
Canary Islands:
A preliminary note. International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) CM-1994/N:16
Denmark
ABSTRACT: Two short-finned pilot whales (Globicephala
macrorhynchus) were found, one stranded on Lanzarote and the other floating
dead off the southwest of
Tenerife. On
analysis of the stomach contents, the diet composition was ascertained and the
role of the cephalopod species in the same which is the object of this paper.
In both animals, the stomach contents were made up entirely of cephalopods.
Thus, the stomach of the short-finned pilot whale stranded in Lanzarote had
only 7 upper and 5 lower cephalopod beaks. One of the lower beaks belonged to a
large Todarodes sagittatus. From the
whale found off
Tenerife
the stomach contents
were recorded as consisting in three squid specimens, arm crowns, lenses and
free beaks (318 upper and 313 lower). The specimens were identified as Todarodes sagittatus, and 17 free lower
beaks were also identified as pertaining to this species. The most important
families by number were Cranchiidae (66.7%), Cycloteuthidae (8.8%) and
Ommastrephidae (6.3%); though probably by weight there is a different order of
importance, due to the fact that a large proportion of the cephalopods were
identified as Cranchia and juveniles of Megalocranchia.
Hooker, S.K.; Baird, R.W.
2003. Diving and range behavior of
odontocetes: a methodological review and critique. Mamm. Rev. 31(1):81-105.
SUMMARY: A review of what is currently known on the dive-depth-behavior of 13
odontocete species; including both species of pilot whales.
Hoydal, K.; Lastein, L.
1993. Analysis of Faroese catches of pilot
whales (1709-1992) in relation to environmental variations. Rep. Int. Whal.
Comm. (Special Issue) 14:89-106.
SUMMARY: This paper reviewed information on the long-finned pilot whale (Globicephala melas) in the waters around
the Faroes. A long term time series of catches of pilot whales (1709-1992) was
examined for possible relationships between landings of whales, environmental variables
and availability of prey species.
International Council for the Exploration of the
Sea (ICES),
1993. Report of the Study Group on long-finned
pilot whales,
Copenhagen,
30 August-3 September.
Copenhagen,
Denmark
; ICES
C.M. 1993/N:5.
SUMMARY: This International Council for the
Exploration of the Sea, (ICES), report summarizes current findings
regarding several parameters of the biology and life history of the long-finned
pilot whale from the eastern and western
North Atlantic.
International Council for the Exploration of the
Sea (ICES),
1996. Report of the Study Group on Long-Finned
Pilot Whales,
Cambridge,
United Kingdom. 22-26 April.
Copenhagen,
Denmark
;
ICES C.M. 1996/A:6.
SUMMARY: This International Council for the
Exploration of the Sea (ICES) report on the recent findings regarding
the biology and life history of the long-finned pilot whale from the
North Atlantic.
Irvine, A.B.; Scott, M.D.; Wells, R.S.; Mead, J.G.
1979. Stranding of the pilot whale, Globicephala macrorhynchus, in
Florida
and
South
Carolina. Fish. Bull. 77 (2):511-513.
SUMMARY: This paper describes the mass stranding of 175-200 pilot whales along the
shores of South Carolina, Georgia and Florida from the 6th – 13th Feb. 1977.
Jefferson,
T.A.; Leatherwood, S.; Webber, M.
A. 1993. Marine Mammals of the World. Food and
Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, FAO.
Rome, 320 p; 587 figs.
ABSTRACT: This is a
worldwide guide for the identification of marine mammals and those cetaceans,
seals, and sirenians also found in freshwater. The 119 species include a
variety of taxa: baleen whales, toothed whales, dolphins, porpoises, seals, sea
lions, sirenians, marine otters, and the polar bear. There is an introduction
with notes on marine mammal distribution in regard to oceanography and marine
mammal identification, a glossary of technical terms, illustrated keys to
species, illustrated family keys for skulls, species sheets, and a table of
species by major marine fishing areas. Every species sheet includes scientific
and official FAO names, diagnostic features, notes on similar species, size,
distribution, biology, habitat, behaviour, exploitation, and IUCN (World
Conservation Union, formerly International Union for the Conservation of Nature
and Natural Resources) status. The work
is fully indexed and includes a list of reference and sources for further reading.
Kasuya,
T.
1975. Past occurrences of Globicephala melaena in the western North Pacific. Sci. Rep. Whales
Res. Inst.
Tokyo
27:95-110.
ABSTRACT: Six skulls of G. melaena excavated
at the northern
Sea of Japan
indicate that the
species was present in the western North Pacific at least until about the 10th century. However, the absence of the species in the collection from recent
fauna and in modern Japanese whaling statistics suggests that the species might
have been extinct from the North Pacific or that a small population is
surviving in some area of western North Pacific which has not yet been studied
by biologist.
Kasuya, T.; Marsh, H.
1984. Life history and reproductive biology of
the short-finned pilot whale, Globicephala
macrorhynchus, off the Pacific coast of
Japan . Rep. Int. Whal. Comm. (Special
Issue) 6:259-310.
SUMMARY: Life history and reproductive biology were analyzed from 373 female and 170
male short-finned pilot whales obtained from directed drive fisheries from the
coast of
Japan.
Kasuya, T.; Miyashita, T.; Kasamatsu, F.
1988. Segregation of two forms of short-finned
pilot whale off the Pacific coast of
Japan. Sci. Rep. Whales Res. Inst.
Tokyo
39:77-90.
SUMMARY: Two forms of short-finned pilot whales are known off the Pacific coast of
Japan . The
northern form, having larger body size, distinct saddle, and rounded contour of
the head, inhabits coastal waters between 35°-40°N latitude. The southern
form, having smaller body size, indistinct saddle and square shape contour of
the adult male head, is seen across a wide range of coastal waters south of the
Kuroshio front and south of 39°N with some degree of possible density gap within their
range.
Kasuya, T.; Sergeant, D.E.; Tanaka, K.
1988. Re-examination of life history
parameters of long-finned pilot whales in
Newfoundland
waters. Sci. Rep. Whales Res. Inst.
Tokyo. 39:103-119.
SUMMARY: Age dependent life history parameters of the long-finned pilot whale were
analyzed using recent technique of aging which allowed accurate age estimate
for old individuals. Teeth were retained
from a 1954 drive fishery off
Newfoundland.
In both sexes mean growth ceases between
21 and 25 years when natural mortality increases. Males live to age 36 or about 10 years less than
females.
Kenney,
R.D.; Winn, H.E.
1986. Cetacean high use habitats of the
northeast
United States
continental shelf. Fish. Bull. 84(2):345-357.
SUMMARY: Results of the Cetacean and Turtle Assessment Program (CeTAP) have
demonstrated that specific areas of the continental shelf waters off the
northeast coast of the
United
States
exhibited high-density utilization by
several cetacean species. This document concluded habitat use by cetaceans on
the continental is highest in the spring and summer and lowest in fall and
winter. Pilot whale sightings are only
confirmed to Genus.
Kenney,
R.D.; Winn, H.E.
1987. Cetacean biomass densities near
submarine canyons compared to adjacent shelf/slope areas. Continent. Shelf Res.
7(2):107-114.
ABSTRACT: Estimated cetacean biomass densities in areas of the northeastern
United States
continental shelf edge encompassing major submarine canyons were compared to
neighboring shelf/slope areas. It was
hypothesized that biomass densities would prove to be higher in the canyon
areas: however, the analysis demonstrated significantly lower total cetacean
biomass in the canyon areas. The canyons
are apparently not more important as cetacean habitat than the shelf break
region. Both long-finned and
short-finned pilot whales are among the more common shelf edge marine mammal
species.
Layne,
J.N.
1965. Observations on marine mammals in
Florida
waters. Bull.
Florida
State
Museum,
Biological Ser., 9(4):131-181.
SUMMARY: Data
were presented on the distribution, measurements and weights, ecology, and
other aspects of the biology of twelve species of cetaceans (including
short-finned pilot whale), one pinniped, and the manatee in
Florida
waters. Most records are for the
period 1953 through 1963 although some earlier years were included.
Leatherwood, S.; McDonald, D.; Prematunga, W.P.; Girton, P.; Ilangakoon, A.; McBearty, D.
1991. Records of the ‘blackfish’ (killer, false
killer, pilot, pygmy killer and melon-headed whales) in the
Indian
Ocean, 1772-1986. In: Cetaceans and Cetacean Research in the
Indian Ocean Sanctuary, Marine Mammal Technical Report No. 3, S. Leatherwood,
S.; G.P. Donovan, (eds.) United Nations Environment Programme,
Nairobi,
Kenya
;
287 p.
SUMMARY: Whaling, sighting and stranding records of the ‘blackfish’ (killer, false killer,
pilot, pygmy killer and melon-headed whales) in the
Indian
Ocean, from 1772-1986.
Lindstroem, G.; Wingfors, H.; Dam, M.; Bavel, B.V.
1999. Identification of 19 Polybrominated
Diphenyl Ethers (PBDEs) in long-finned pilot whale (Globicephala melas) from the
Atlantic.
Arch. Environ. Contam. Toxicol. 36(3):0355-0363.
ABSTRACT: Nineteen
tetra- to hexabrominated diphenyl ethers were identified at ppb concentration
in the blubber of pilot whales caught off the coast of the
Faroe
Islands
in 1994 and 1996. Higher total concentrations were found
in the pooled samples of young males (3,160 ng/g lipid) and females (3,038 ng/g
lipid) compared to adult females (843 ng/g and 1,048 ng/g lipid) and males
(1,610 ng/g lipids). The predominant isomers in all samples were 2,2,4,4-TeBDE
(PBDE 47) and 2,2,4,4,5-PeBDE (PBDE 99) accounting for some 70% of the sum of
the 19 isomers.
Lockyer, C.
1993. A report on patterns of deposition of
dentine and cement in teeth of pilot whales, genus Globicephala. Rep. Int. Whal. Comm. (Special Issue)
14:137-61.
SUMMARY: This
paper reports on two aspects of pilot whale tooth structure: (1) deposition
rate of dentinal and cemental laminae, and (2) patterns and possible
significance of mineralization anomalies. Teeth are from live captured short-finned pilot whales (North Pacific)
and long finned pilot whales from the Faroe Islands drive fishery (northeast
Atlantic
).
Lockyer, C.
1993. Seasonal changes in body fat condition
of
Northeast Atlantic
pilot whales, and their
biological significance. Rep. Int. Whal. Comm. (Special Issue) 14:325-50.
SUMMARY: Length,
girth and blubber thickness were collected from 693 whales. Body weights were obtained for 232 foetuses
and 622 long-finned pilot whales of both sexes at all times of the year.
Lockyer, C.
2007. All creatures great and smaller: a study
in cetacean life history energetics. J.
Mar. Biol. Assoc. U.K. 87(4):1035-1045.
ABSTRACT: Reviews of some specific studies of cetacean life history
energetics over the past 20–30 years that include one of the largest species,
the baleen fin whale, Balaenoptera physalus, the medium-sized
odontocete long-finned pilot whale, Globicephala melas, and one of the
smallest marine odontocetes, the harbour porpoise, Phocoena phocoena.
Attention is drawn to the decrease in longevity with size and the differences
in biological parameters that reflect this and affect life history strategy and
energy utilization. Data from the past whaling industry in
Iceland
for fin whales, the Faroese
‘grindedrap’ for pilot whales, and by-catches as well as some live captive
studies for harbour porpoise have been used. The studies demonstrate how
information can be gathered to compile energy budgets for individuals, relying
on carcass measurement and analysis, dietary investigations, biochemical
analyses of tissues, and general life history studies including reproduction;
as well as from monitoring living animals. The individual examples presented
show how food energy storage in the form of fat can be variously important in
insulation in the smallest species to controlling reproductive efficiency in
large migratory species. The paper concludes by noting that an understanding of
energy use in the individual can be an important input in multi-species
ecosystem modeling.
Macleod, K.; Simmonds, M.P.;
Murray, E.
2003. Summer distribution and relative
abundance of cetacean populations off
Northwest Scotland. J. Mar. Biol. Assoc. U.K. 83(5):1187-1192.
ABSTRACT:
Line transects surveys were conducted in July/August 1998 to investigate the
distribution and abundance of cetaceans off north-west
Scotland . Over
2156.5 km of survey effort, 304 sightings were recorded of which 184 were
identified to species. Nine species were identified: Atlantic white-sided
dolphin Lagenorhynchus acutus, fin whale Balaenoptera physalus,
sei whale Balaenoptera borealis, long-finned pilot whale Globicephala
melas, sperm whale Physeter macrocephalus, common dolphin Delphinus
delphis, harbour porpoise Phocoena phocoena, white beaked dolphin Lagenorhynchus albirostris and Risso's dolphin Grampus griseus.
The Atlantic white-sided dolphin was the most relatively abundant species. The
relative abundance of large whales and dolphins was greatest in the
Faroe–Shetland Channel. The continental slopes of this area are undergoing
development by oil industries and concerns have been raised about the potential
impacts of these activities on cetaceans. These waters are used year-round by
cetaceans and provide feeding and breeding grounds and are a migration route
for large whales.
Madin, K.
2008. Pilot whales – the “cheetahs of the deep
sea.” Oceanus 46(3):36-38.
SUMMARY: Researchers reveal first glimpse of pilot whales high speed, deep diving
hunt for squid via data collected from suction cup time depth recorder tags.
Martin, A.R.; Reynolds, P.; Richardson, M.G.
1987. Aspects of the biology of pilot whales Globicephala melaena in recent mass
strandings on the British coast. J. Zool. (Lond.) 211:11-23.
SUMMARY: Authors looked at the biology of pilot whales obtained from five mass
stranding events along the British coast between 1982 and 1985. Sex, length, sexual maturity determined an
“excess” of mature females in these pilot whale schools.
Martin,
A.R.; Rothery, P.
1993. Reproductive parameters of female
long-finned pilot whales (Globicephala
melas) around the
Faroe Islands. Rep. Int.
Whal. Comm. (Special Issue) 14:263-304.
SUMMARY: Nearly 2000 female long fined pilot whales, from the
Faroes
Island
catch were examined, measured and sampled between July 1986 and June 1988. Females of this stock ovulate for the first time at an average age of 8 yrs
and average length of 375 cm. Gestation
last about 12 months; the calf is born at a mean length of 177 cm and a mass of
74 kg.
Mate, B.R.
1989. Satellite-monitored radio tracking as a
method for studying cetacean movements and behaviour. Rep. Int. Whal. Comm. 39:389-391.
(SC/40/O 42).
ABSTRACT: In summer 1987, a pilot whale (Globicephala melas) tagged with an
Argos
satellite-monitored radio tag was tracked for 95
days in the western
North Atlantic. The whale
was located 479 times by satellite during movements of at least 7,588 km and
sighted from an aircraft several times in the company of other pilot whales.
Duration of dive data was collected on 187,866 dives. Transmitter temperature
information was also sent and indicated that virtually all deep dives occurred
at night, when the whale was likely feeding on squid. Surface resting occurred
most often immediately after sunrise on a four to seven day cycle. Future movement and dive information in
conjunction with oceanographic data will be important in identifying the
critical habitats of whales and understanding their behaviour.
Mate, B.R.; Lagerquist, B.A.; Winsor, M.; Geraci, J.;
Prescott,
J.H.
2005. Movements and dive habits of a
satellite-monitored long finned pilot whale (Globicephala melas) in the
Northwest Atlantic.
Mar. Mammal Sci., 21(1):136-144.
SUMMARY: On 29 June 1987, three juvenile long finned pilot whales were released 160 km southeast of
Cape Cod,
MA
with satellite telemetry tags which provided movements and dive behavior.
McFee, W.E.
1990. An analysis of mass strandings of the
long-finned pilot whale, Globicephala
melaena on
Cape Cod. [M.Sc. thesis].
Northeastern University,
Boston,
MA
; 85 p. (Available from Northeastern University
Library,
Boston,
Ma.)
SUMMARY: This thesis reviews mass stranding events of long finned pilot whales on
Cape Cod
from 1620 – 1990, and discusses possible causes.
McFee, W.E.
1991. Common names applied to the long-finned
pilot whale, Globicephala melas. Can.
Field Nat. 105(4):564-566.
SUMMARY: The author provides a list of historical pilot whale mass stranding events occurring on
Cape Cod,
Massachusetts. His research found four common names used "locally" to
describe pilot whales in these waters.
Mead, J.G.; Brownell, R.L.
2005. Order Cetacea. Mammalian Species of the
World: 723-743.
SUMMARY: This document provides background information on the taxonomic and systematic
relationships for the different species of pilot whales.
Mercer, M.C.
1967. Wintering of pilot whales Globicephala melaena in
Newfoundland
inshore
waterS.J. Fish. Res. Board.
Can.
24:2481-2484.
SUMMARY: This document discusses the regular occurrence of inshore wintering of
long-finned pilot whales as it relates to an abundant food source, short-finned
squid (Illex illecebrousus).
Mercer,
M.C.
1975. Modified Leslie-DeLury population models
of the long-finned pilot whale (Globicephala
melaena) and annual production of the short-finned squid (Illex illecebrosus) based upon their
interactions at
Newfoundland. J. Fish. Res. Bd.
Can.
32(7):1145-54.
SUMMARY: This document presents a population model for long-finned pilot whale as it
relates to an abundant food source short-finned squid (Illex illecebrousus) in the waters off
Newfoundland.
Mintzer, V. J.; Gannon, D.P.; Barros, N.B.; Read, A.J.
2008. Stomach contents of mass-stranded
short-finned pilot whales (Globicephala
macrorhynchus) from
North
Carolina. Mar. Mammal Sci., 24(2):290-302.
ABSTRACT: We examined the stomach contents of 27
short-finned pilot
whales (Globicephala macrorhynchus) were identified from a
mass stranding on 15 January 2005 in
North
Carolina. Eleven
whales had prey parts in their fore stomachs. Authors used frequency of occurrence and
numerical abundance to assess the relative importance of prey. Brachioteuthis riisei (numerical
abundance 28%), an oceanic species, was the most important cephalopod prey, but Taonius pavo (12%) and Histioteuthis reversa (9%) also
represented a substantial part of the diet. A large number of otoliths belonging to the
fish Scopelogadus beanii were present
(25%). These results differ from reports of the stomach contents of
short-finned pilot
whales from the Pacific coast in which neritic species dominate the diet. Our
findings also suggest that there is a considerable difference between the diets
of short- and long-finned pilot whales (Globicephala melas) in the western
North Atlantic. The latter feed predominantly on the
long-finned squid (Loligo pealei)
whereas the former feed on deep-water species. Their results indicate these
whales fed primarily off the continental shelf prior to stranding.
Miyashita, T.; Kasuya, T.; Mori, K.
1990. An examination of the feasibility of
using photo-identification techniques for a short-finned pilot whale stock off
Japan . Rep.
Int. Whal. Comm. (Special Issue) 12:425-428.
SUMMARY: The authors discuss the feasibility and use of photo-identification techniques
to identify and examine short-finned pilot whale populations in the North
Pacific. Several important techniques
are discussed.
Muir, D.C.G.; Wagermann, R.; Grift, N.P.; Norstrom, R. J.; Simon, M.; Lien, J.
1988. Organochlorine chemical and heavy metal
contaminants in white-beaked dolphins (Lagenorhynchus
albirostris) and pilot whales (Globicephala
melaena) from the coast of
Newfoundland,
Canada . Arch.
Environ. Contam. Toxicol. 17:613-629.
ABSTRACT: Potychlorinated biphenyls (EPCB), DDT
isomers (EDDT), chlordanes (ECHLOR), toxaphene, chlorobenzenes and
hexachlorocyclohexane isomers and seven elements (As, Cd, Cu, Hg, Pb, Se, Zn)
were determined in tissues of 41 stranded pilot whales (Globicephala
melaena) and 27 ice-entrapped white-beaked dolphins (Lagenorhynchus
albirostris) from Newfoundland, Canada. Cadmium, Hg, As and Se were
significantly higher in pilot whale kidney and liver than in dolphin tissues.
Mercury in liver and blubber, and Cd in kidney, of pilot whales were positively
correlated with age. Cadmium levels in both species were much higher than
reported for other cetaceans from Canadian east coast waters. Lead
concentrations in dolphin kidney and muscles were 5 times higher than in pilot
whales. Levels of EPCB (sum of 49 congeners) in blubber samples ranged from 31
to 61 mg/kg (lipid wt) in female and male dolphins, respectively, and from 5.6
to 12 mg/kg in female and male pilot whales. XDDT and toxaphene were present at
similar levels to EPCB while mean XCHLOR (sum of seven components) ranged from
1.6 to 17 mg/kg in blubber of pilot whales and dolphins, respectively. The presence of high levels of toxaphene in
the blubber of both species was unexpected and may be due to increased use of
this pesticide during the 1970's. Higher levels of all organochlorine chemicals
in blubber, as well as Pb in kidney and muscle, of dolphins than in pilot
whales may reflect greater exposure to contaminants because of over-wintering
and feeding in
Gulf of St. Lawrence
waters.
Mullin,
K.D.; Fulling, G.L.
2003. Abundance of cetaceans in the southern
U.S. North Atlantic Ocean during summer of 1998. Fish. Bull. 101(3):603-613.
SUMMARY: The U.S. Marine Mammal Protection Act requires an assessment of marine
mammal abundance in
U.S.
waters. This requirement had not met for
a large portion of the North Atlantic Ocean (
U.S.
waters south of
Maryland
), a ship based line
transect survey was conducted between
Maryland
and central
Florida.
Results included several sightings of short-finned pilot whales.
Mullin,
K.D.; Fulling, G.L.
2004. Abundance of cetaceans in the oceanic
Gulf of Mexico, 1996-2001. Mar. Mamm. Sci. 20(4):787-807.
ABSTRACT: The Gulf of Mexico is a subtropical marginal sea of the western
North Atlantic Ocean
with a diverse cetacean community.
Ship-based, line-transect abundance surveys were conducted in oceanic waters
(>200 m deep) of the northern Gulf within
U. S.
waters (380,432 km2)
during spring from 1996 to 1997 and from 1999 to 2001. Data from these five
surveys were pooled and minimum abundance estimates were based on 12,162 km of
effort and 512 sightings of at least 19 species. The most commonly sighted
species (number of groups) were pantropical spotted dolphin, Stenella attenuata (164); sperm
whale, Physeter
macrocephalus (67); dwarf/pygmy sperm whale, Kogia sima/breviceps (58);
Risso's dolphin, Grampus
griseus (38); and bottlenose dolphin, Tursiops truncatus (24). The most
abundant species (number of individuals; coefficient of variation) were S. attenuata (91,321;
0.16); Clymene dolphin, S.
clymene (17,355; 0.65); spinner dolphin, S. longirostris (11,971; 0.71);
and striped dolphin, S.
coeruleoalba (6,505; 0.43). The only large whales sighted were P. macrocephalus (1,349; 0.23) and Bryde's whale, Balaenoptera edeni (40; 0.61). Abundance
s for other species or genera ranged from 95 to
2,388 animals. Cetaceans were sighted throughout the oceanic northern Gulf and,
whereas many species were widely distributed, some had more regional
distributions.
Mullin,
K.D.; Hoggard, W.; Hansen, L.J.
2004. Abundance and seasonal occurrence of
cetaceans in outer continental shelf and slope waters of the north-central and
northwestern
Gulf of Mexico. Gulf Mex. Sci.
2004(1):62-73.
SUMMARY: Eight aerial line-transect surveys of the outer continental shelf and
continental slope waters were conducted seasonally from summer 1992 through the
spring of 1994 in the north-central and northwestern Gulf of Mexico to study
the seasonal occurrence and spatial distribution of cetaceans and to estimate
their abundances. Short-finned pilot
whale sightings were summarized.
North Atlantic Marine Mammal
Commission (NAMMCO). 1997. North Atlantic Marine
Mammal Commission Annual Report 1996.
Tromso,
Norway. The
long-finned pilot whale.
SUMMARY: The paper provides information on the current knowledge of the distribution,
stock definition, ecology, abundance trends, management and threats of this species
in the eastern
North Atlantic Ocean.
Nawojchik, R.; St. Aubin, D.J.; Johnson, A.
2003. Movements and dive behavior of two
stranded rehabilitated pilot whales, Globicephala
melas, in the
Northwest Atlantic. Mar. Mammal
Sci., 19(1):232-239.
SUMMARY: This paper described the post–release behavior of two juvenile long-finned
pilot whales following their rehabilitation. Their movements and dive behavior
were monitored for four months with the aid of satellite-linked time-depth
recorders.
Nelson,
D.; Lien, J.
1996. The status of the long-finned pilot
whale Globicephala melas in
Canada . Can.
Field Nat. 110(3):511-524.
SUMMARY: The long-finned pilot regularly migrates to Canadian inshore waters
following spawning squid. Drive
fisheries from 1947-1971 seriously depleted the G. melas population off
Newfoundland.
There are few reliable recent population estimates for G. melas but even optimistic recovery forecasts based on drive
fisheries in
Newfoundland
would produce a present population substantially lower than pre-whaling
numbers.
Nielsen, J.B.; Nielsen, F.; Joergensen, P.J.; Grandjean, P.
2000. Toxic metals and selenium in blood from pilot
whales (Globicephala melas) and sperm
whales (Physeter catodon). Mar. Pollut.
Bull. 40:348–351.
ABSTRACT: Mercury, lead, cadmium and selenium were measured in
blood from pilot whales (Globicephala
melas) caught at the Faroe Islands and in blood from four sperm whales (Physeter catodon) stranded in
Denmark . The
median whole-blood concentration of mercury in pilot whales was 229 μg/l
with a positive correlation to the corresponding selenium concentrations. Blood
concentrations of mercury and cadmium up to 2421 and 31 100 μg/l,
respectively, were found in the sperm whales. Cadmium concentration averaged
500-1000 times higher in stranded sperm whales than in the pilot whales. The
mercury and cadmium concentrations dramatically exceed levels which are
associated with severe toxicity in several other mammal species.
Nores,
C.; Perez, C.
1988. Overlapping range between Globicephala macrorhynchus and Globicephala melaena in the northeastern
Atlantic. Mammalia 52(1):51-55.
SUMMARY: Ten pilot whales were definitely identified off the coast of
Asturias
(northern
Spain
) from 1982 – 1986; seven of
these belonged to the species Globicephala
macrorhynchus. These observations
seem to confirm the possibility that the limit of the geographical range of
this species is in the
Bay of Biscay, although
its relative frequency with respect to Globicephala melaena is much less in these waters. Towards the south, the boreal species
descends along the African coast to
Mauritania, favored by the Saharan
upwelling, whereas the tropical species travels north through warmer pelagic
waters.
Norris, K.S.; Prescott, J.H.
1961. Observations on Pacific cetaceans in
Californian and Mexican waters.
University
of
California
Publications in Zoology 63:291-402.
SUMMARY: This document provides background information on the taxonomic and
systematic relationships for the different species of pilot whales of the
Pacific Ocean.
Oremus, M.
2008. Genetic and demographic investigation of
population structure and social system in four delphinid species. 2008. [PhD Dissertation]
Univ. of Auckland,
New Zealand.
ABSTRACT: Population structure, genetic diversity and social system were investigated
in four species of dolphins, thought to present contrasting habitat preferences
and social organization: spinner dolphins, rough-toothed dolphins, long-finned
and short-finned pilot whales. The molecular ecology of the mass strandings of
long-finned pilot whales around
New
Zealand
was investigated to test the
hypothesis that individuals stranding together are part of an extended matrilineal
group. Analyses of mtDNA sequences indicate that more than one haplotype was
found in five of the seven mass strandings investigated (n = 275),
demonstrating that groups are sometimes composed of unrelated maternal
lineages. This was further supported by analyses of relatedness within and
between strandings based on microsatellites (14 loci). These analyses discount
kinship as the only factor causing large mass strandings in long-finned pilot
whales. Parentage analyses confirmed some aspects of previous studies in the
North Atlantic, suggesting a social system with at least
some level of male and female philopatry to the maternal group, and infrequent
paternities within the group. In a detailed study of a large mass stranding
(Stewart Island 2003, n = 122), there was no correlation between position of
the whales on the beach and genetic relatedness (based on 20 microsatellite
loci), discounting the assumption that kinship bonds are maintained during
these traumatic events. This was further supported by the striking separation
of stranded mothers and dependant calves. This disruption of kinship bonds
could help explain the behavioural distress of stranded individuals and the
tendency of many whales to re-strand even after being re-floated.
University
of
Auckland,
Auckland, NZ. Available
from: http://researchspace.auckland.ac.nz/bitstream/2292/2621/6/01front.pdf
Ottensmeyer,
C.A.
2002. Social structure of long-finned pilot
whales from photo-identification techniques (Globicephala melas). [M.Sc.]
Dalhousie
University,
Halifax,
Nova Scotia,
Canada. (Available from the
Dalhousie
University
library,
Halifax,
Nova Scotia.
SUMMARY: Social structure as determined from the long-term photo-identification
studies of long-finned pilot whales from the waters of
Nova
Scotia,
Canada.
Ottensmeyer,
C.A.
; Whitehead, H.
2003. Behavioral evidence for social units in
long-finned pilot whales.
Can.
J. Zool. 81(8):1327-1338.
ABSTRACT: In general, mammal species show geographic or social dispersal by one or
both sexes. Long-term behavioral observations and genetic evidence have
confirmed that fish-eating resident killer whales, Orcinus orca, are a rare exception. Female and male offspring
travel with their mothers for their whole lives: this is called natal group philopatry.
It is suspected that pilot whales, Globicephala spp., also follow this social pattern, but longitudinal data on the social
structure of live long-finned pilot whales, Globicephala
melas, are rare. The authors observed G.
melas during July and August of 1998–2000 off northern
Nova
Scotia,
Canada .
Estimated group sizes ranged from 2 to 135 (mean=20, SD=17, median=15, n=249). A total of 322 individuals were
identified on the basis of distinctive marks on the dorsal fin, with estimated
mark rates of 0.336 (proportion) (SE=0.041) and 0.352 (mean of estimates)
(SE=0.036). Permutation testing rejected the null hypothesis of random
association between individuals (p < 0.0005). The best-fit model of the standardized lagged association rate
suggests short-term associations of individuals over hours to days and
long-term associations with a subset of those individuals over years. When
scaled according to mark rate, sets of long-term associate’s average
approximately 11–12 individuals, a much lower estimate than that presented
previously from drive-fishery data from the
Faroe Islands.
Genetic sampling of behaviorally studied individuals is recommended.
Overholtz, W.J.; Waring, G.T.
1991. Diet composition of pilot whales
Globicephala sp. and common dolphins Delphinus
delphis in the Mid-Atlantic Bight during spring 1989. Fish. Bull.
89:723-728.
SUMMARY: Data were collected by
U.S.
observers on foreign vessels in the offshore Atlantic mackerel trawl fishery. Stomachs were collected from 5 pilot whales
and 4 common dolphins incidentally caught in March/April 1989 in the
Mid-Atlantic Bight region. The authors
looked at the similarities and differences in the diet composition between
these two species.
Payne, P.M.; Heinemann, D.W.
1993. The distribution of pilot whales
(Globicephala sp.) in shelf and shelf-edge waters of the northeastern United
States, 1987-1998. In: Donovan, G.P.; Lockyer, C.
H.; Martin, A.R.
, (eds.). Biology of the
Northern Hemisphere Pilot Whales. Rep. Int. Whal. Comm. (Special Issue)
14:51-58.
ABSTRACT: The
spatial and temporal distribution of pilot whales (Globicephala spp.) in shelf/shelf-edge and slope waters of the
northeastern
U.S.
is described from 1,033 sightings collected during standardized aerial and
shipboard surveys (1978-88). Two species
of pilot whales (long-finned pilot whales, Globicephala
melas, and the short-finned pilot whale, Globicephala macrorhynchus), occur in this study area. The long-finned pilot whale is the most
widespread and abundant. Seasonal
distribution of G. melas, coincide
most closely with the abundance of long-finned squid (Loligo pealei) and Atlantic mackerel (Scomber scombrus). During
late winter and spring the distribution of pilot whales generally follows the
shelf-edge/slope region between the 100m and 2,000m contours. This corresponds to a general movement
northward and onto the shelf from deeper slope waters. During late summer and fall the pilot whale
sighting distribution is more widespread throughout the shelf.
Two distinct clusters of pilot
whales sightings occur in shelf-edge/slope waters of the northeastern U.S.
May-December. A northward cluster
(likely G. melas) is centered north
of 40°N (in the Great South Channel-Georges Bank regions). The second cluster of pilot whale sightings
occurs in the Mid-Atlantic (south of 38 30N) at this time, and is considered G. macrorhynchus.
Pfeiffer, D.C.; Wang, A.; Nicolas, J.; Pfeiffer, C.J.
2001. Lingual ultrastructure of the long-finned
pilot whale (Globicephala melas).
Anat. Histol. Embryol. 30, 359-365.
SUMMARY: This
paper describes the microscopic studies and description of the pilot whale
tongue.
Praca,
E.; Gannier, A.
2008. Ecological niches of three teuthophageous odontocetes in the
northwestern
Mediterranean Sea. Ocean Sci., 4(1):49-59.
ABSTRACT: In
the northwestern Mediterranean
Sea, sperm whales, pilot whales and Risso's dolphins prey
exclusively or preferentially on cephalopods. In order to evaluate their
competition, the authors modeled their habitat
suitability with the Ecological Niche Factor
Analysis (ENFA) and compared their ecological niches using a discriminant
analysis. Long term (1995-2005) small boat data set, with visual and acoustic
(sperm whale)
detections were used. Pilot whale has the most oceanic habitat (2500 m mean depth)
mainly located in the central
Ligurian
Sea
and Provencal basin.
Therefore, potential competition for food between these species may be reduced
by the differentiation of their habitats.
Prieto,
R.; Fernandes, M.
2007. Revision of the occurrence of the
long-finned pilot whale Globicephala
melas (Traill, 1809), in the Azores Arquipélago. Life Mar. Sci. 24: 65-69.
ABSTRACT: Although
the expected distribution of the long-finned pilot whale in the Atlantic includes
the
Azores, overlapping with the known
northern distribution of the short-finned pilot whale, the only documental
references to the species in the archipelago are based on a single specimen
captured in 1894. Moreover, a clear distinction between the two species of
pilot-whales based on osteological grounds was only possible after 1971 and
before that a great uncertainty existed about the phylogeny of the Genus. The
long-finned pilot whale, thus, has never been confirmed by sightings at sea in
the region and the extent of its occurrence to the South in the central
North Atlantic
has been, up to now, an open issue. Here
we present evidence of the occurrence of the long-finned pilot whale in the
Azores, based on two sightings made in different years.
Rack,
R.S.
1952. Blackfish hunting off
St.
Vincent. (In: Fisheries in the
Caribbean.
Report of the Fisheries Conference,
Caribbean
Commission, Central Secretariat. Kent House,
Trinidad.
March 24-28, 1952), p. 80-83.
SUMMARY: This
paper describes the methods, materials and results of the blackfish hunt (short-finned
pilot whales) in the waters surrounding
St. Vincent
in the early 1950s.
Raga, J.A.; Balbuena, J.A.
1993. Parasites of the long-finned pilot
whale, Globicephala melas (Traill,
1809), in European waters. Rep. Int. Whal. Comm. (Special Issue) 14:391-406.
SUMMARY: Long-finned
pilot whales from three European regions (
Faroe
Island, Spanish western Mediterranean
waters and French Atlantic [
Bay of Biscay
])
were surveyed for ecto- and endo-parasites in order to provide information on
the taxonomy, biology, host relationships and pathogenicity of the parasites
and epizoics of the pilot whale in the Eastern North Atlantic.
Rayner, G.W.
1939. Globicephala
leucosagmorpha, a new species of the genus Globicephala. Annals and
Magazine of Natural History (Series 2). 4:543-544.
SUMMARY: The
pilot whale found in the So. Hemisphere is described as a new, separate
species, G. leucosagmaphora.
Rendell, L.E.; Gordon, J.C.D.
1999. Vocal response of long-finned pilot
whales (Globicephala melas) to
military sonar in the
Ligurian
Sea. Mar. Mamm. Sci. 15(1):198–204.
SUMMARY: A marine
mammal acoustic study reports military sonar signals were heard most frequently
in the northern part of the
Ligurian
Sea
(
Mediterranean Sea
).
Loud sonar signals could be heard during
an extended encounter with long-finned
pilot whales. The paper describes vocal response from an encounter between
pilot whales and an Italian Naval vessel sonar signals on 5 September 1994.
Rendell, L.E.; Matthews, J.N.; Gill, A.; Gordon, J.C.D.; Macdonald, D.W.
1999. Quantitative analysis of tonal calls
from five odontocete species, examining inter-specific and intra-specific
variation. J. Zool. (Lond.) 249(4):403-410.
SUMMARY: Whistle
vocalizations of five odontocete cetaceans, the false killer whale P. crassidens, short-finned pilot whale G. macrorhynchus, long-finned pilot
whale G. melas, white-beaked dolphin L. albirostris and Risso's dolphin G. griseus, were analyzed and summarized
quantitatively.
Rice,
D.W.
1998. Marine Mammals of the World: Systematics
and Distribution. The Society for Marine
Mammalogy Special Publication 4:1-231.
SUMMARY: This document provides background information on the taxonomic, systematic
and distribution relationships for the different species of pilot whales.
Scammon, C.M.
1869. On the cetaceans of the western coast of
North America. Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia. 22:13-63
SUMMARY: This document provides background information on the taxonomic and
systematic relationships for the different species of pilot whales of the
Pacific Ocean.
Schmiegelow, J.M.M.; Filho, A.M.P.
1989. First record of the short-finned pilot
whale Globicephala macrorhynchus Gray
1846, for the southwestern
Atlantic. Mar.
Mamm. Sci. 5(4):387-391.
SUMMARY: Strandings of short-finned pilot whale Globicephala
macrorhynchus, in
Brazil
are summarized.
Sergeant, D.E.
1962. The biology of pilot or pothead whales Globicephala melaena in
Newfoundland
waters. J. Fish. Res. Board
Can.
19:1-84.
SUMMARY: One of the best early research papers on the biology of western
North Atlantic
long-finned pilot whales.
Sergeant, D.E.
1962. On the external characters of the
blackfish or pilot whale (Genus Globicephala). J. Mamm. 43(3):395-413.
ABSTRACT:The
coloration and morphology of the
North Atlantic
pilot whale Globicephala melaena melaena are described and comparisons made with the sub species G. m. edwardii, occurring in the southern oceans, the tropical
Atlantic G. macrorhynchus and the
north Pacific G. scammoni. The
North Atlantic
pilot whale may show small differences in color pattern from the southern
subspecies but no differences have been detected in morpholometry. The other two species have dark ventral
markings of approximately the same for as G.
melaena. The flipper of G. melaena grows more rapidly in length than the body throughout all but earliest
postnatal life, while the flipper of G. macrorhynchus is isometric. The latter species thus
has a short flipper at all except young ages. G. scammoni appears to be
intermediate in this feature. G. melaena shows positive allometry of
the flipper and dorsal fin in foetal and most of postnatal life but negative
allometry between birth and weaning. The
functional significance of this feature found also in the fin whale.
Shane, S.H.; McSweeney, D.
1990. Using photo-identification to study
pilot whale social organization. Rep. Int. Whal. Comm. (Special Issue)
12:259-263.
SUMMARY: Photo-identification
of uniquely marked individuals was the primary research tool used in the
studies of short-finned pilot whale social organization at
Santa Catalina Island,
California
and the Big Island of Hawaii.
Siemann, L.
1992. Pilot whale research using small tissue
samples. Oceanus 35(3):71-73.
SUMMARY: This
paper focuses on the use of pilot whale genetic samples used in determining the
DNA sequences of the D-loop. This is a
rapidly evolving mtDNA region, used to determine relationships between pilot
whale populations in the
North Atlantic.
Siemann,
L.
1994. Mitochondrial DNA sequence variation in North Atlantic
pilot whales, Globicephala melas. [PhD. Dissertation] Massachusetts
Institute of Technology, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, Ma.
USA.
(Available from the Marine Biological Laboratory Library, Woods Hole, Ma.)
Sigurjonsson, J.; Vikingsson, G.; Lockyer, C.
1993. Two mass strandings of pilot whales Globicephala melas on the coast of
Iceland . Rep. Int.
Whal. Comm (Special Issue) 14:407-423.
SUMMARY: This paper describes two mass stranding
of pilot whales on the coast of
Iceland
occurring in 1982 and 1986. Food habits,
age, length, sexual maturity and reproduction are discussed.
Stacey,
P.J.; Baird, R.W.
1993. Status of the short-finned pilot whale, Globicephala macrorhynchus, in
Canada.
Can. Field Nat. 107(4):481-489.
SUMMARY: This paper presents distributional information and population status on
short-finned pilot whales from North Pacific Canadian waters.
Sweeny, M.M.; Price, J.M.; Jones, G.S.; French, T.W.; Early, G.A.;
Moore, M.J.
2005. Spondylitic changes in long-finned pilot
whales (Globicephala melas) stranded
on
Cape Cod,
Massachusetts,
USA,
between 1982 and 2000. J. Wildl. Dis. 41(4):717-727.
ABSTRACT:The
primary bone pathology diagnoses recognized in cetacea are osteomyelitis
and spondylosis deformans. In this study, the authors determined the
prevalence, type, and severity of vertebral pathology in 52 pilot
whales, a mass stranding species that stranded on
Cape Cod,
Massachusetts,
between 1982 and 2000. Eleven whales (21%) had hyperostosis and
ossification of tendon insertion points on and between vertebrae,
chevron bones, and costovertebral joints, with multiple fused blocks
of vertebrae. These lesions are typical of a group of interrelated
diseases described in humans as spondyloarthropathies, specifically
ankylosing spondylitis, which has not been fully described in
cetacea. In severe cases, ankylosing spondylitis in humans can
inhibit mobility. If the lesions described here negatively affect
the overall health of the whale, these lesions may be a contributing
factor in stranding of this highly sociable species.
Taruski, A.G.
1976. Whistles of the pilot whale
(Globicephala spp.) variations in whistling related to behavioral/environmental
broadcast of underwater sound and geographic location. [PhD
Dissertation
University
of
Rhode Island,
Narragansett, R.I.] (Available from the
University
of
Rhode Island
Library, Narragansett, R.I.)
Taruski, A.G.
1976. The whistle repertoire of the
North Atlantic
pilot whale (Globicephala melaena) and its relationship to behavior and the
environment. In Behavior of Marine
Animals: Current perspectives in Research. Vol. 3: Cetaceans. Winn, H.E. &
B.L. Olla (eds.). Plenum Press, NY. pps. 345-368.
SUMMARY: After reviewing over 1500 pilot whale whistle sonograms there were no clear
mutually exclusive whistle types. Paper
describes pilot whale whistle types, associated behavior and group size.
Tilbury, K.L.; Adams, N.G.; Krone, C.A.; Meador, J.P.; Early, G.;
Varanasi, U.
1999. Organichlorines in stranded pilot whales
(Globicephala melaena) from the coast
of
Massachusetts.
Arch. Environ. Contam. Toxicol. 37:125-134.
ABSTRACT: Pilot whales strand periodically along
the
U.S.
coast, and these strandings offer an opportunity for the collection of tissues
for biomonitoring of contaminant exposure in cetaceans, as well as for specimen
archiving. Concentrations of
organochlorine (OC) contaminants (e.g., PCB congeners, pesticides, DDTs)
were measured in tissue samples from pilot whales that stranded in 1986 and
1990 along the
Massachusetts
coast. Adult and fetal samples of blubber, liver, brain, and kidney were
collected, as well as ovaries from mature female whales. Many of the OCs found
in maternal tissues was detected in corresponding fetal tissues indicating
maternal transfer of OCs to the fetus. The concentrations of individual OCs in
tissues varied considerably among the animals. Statistically significant
differences were found between females and males for the concentrations of
certain analytes (e.g., SPCBs, p,p8-DDE) and these
differences may be partially due to contaminants being transferred by the
female whales during gestation and lactation. The concentrations of OCs in
different tissues were similar when based on total lipid weight, except for the
brain, which contained the lowest lipid-normalized OC concentrations. The low
concentrations in brain may be related to the disparate lipid compositions in
this tissue as well as the presence of the blood-brain barrier. The
availability of data on these archived and biomonitoring samples provide a
baseline for future retrospective studies.
True, F.W.
1889. A review of the family Delphinidae.
Bull.
U.S.
Nat. Mus., 36:1-191.
SUMMARY: This is one of the oldest published papers which describes the biology and
morphology of the members of the family Delphinidae, including pilot whales.
Uhen, M.D.; Fordyce, R.E.; Barnes, L.G.
2008. Odontoceti. In C. M. Janis, K.M. Scott,
and L. L. Jacobs (eds.), Evolution of Tertiary Mammals of
North
America
II: 566-606.
SUMMARY: This document provides background information on the taxonomic, systematic
and distribution relationships for the different species of pilot whales.
Valsecchi, E.; Amos, B.
1996. Microsatellite markers for the study of
cetacean populations. Mol. Ecol. 5(1):151-156.
ABSTRACT: Microsatellites are one of the most important classes of nuclear genetic
markers and offer many advantages for the study of marine mammals. The
isolation and characterization of 12 cetacean microsatellites were tested
across 30 different cetacean species. For around half the species tested, five
or more polymorphic loci were identified. Since many species were represented
by only one or two specimens, this figure is likely to underestimate the
usefulness of these markers. No relationship was found between microsatellite
repeat length and proportion of species which gave polymorphic products.
van Bree, P.J.H.
1971. On Globicephala
seiboldi Gray 1846, and other species of pilot whales. (Notes on cetacean,
Delphinoidea III). Beaufortia 19:79-87.
SUMMARY: This
paper provides both historical and systematic information on the (species) name
changes found in the Genus Globicephala.
van
Bree, P.J.H.; Best, P.B.; Ross, G.J.B.
1978. Occurrence of the two species of pilot
whales on the coast of
South
Africa. Mammalia. 42:323-328.
ABSTRACT: The history of a skull of a Pilot whale from
South
Africa
present in the Museum d'Histoire Naturelle at
Bordeaux,
France,
is discussed in detail. This skull almost certainly is the holotype of Globicephala melaena edwardii.
Occurrence of long-finned pilot whales, Globicephala
melaena, and short-finned pilot whales, G.
macrorhynchus, on the coast of
South Africa
are enumerated and the
local distribution of the two species is discussed.
Wada, S.
1988. Genetic differentiation between two
forms of short-finned pilot whales off the Pacific coast of
Japan. Sci. Rep. Whales Res. Inst.,
Tokyo
39:91-101.
SUMMARY: Two forms of short-finned pilot whales are known to exist off the Pacific
coast of
Japan.
The northern form has larger body size, distinct saddle, and rounded contour of
the head then the southern form. The
northern form inhabits the coastal waters between 35-°40°N latitude of
Japan. Genetic variation and differences are presented.
Walsh, M.T.; Beusse, D.O.; Young, W.G.; Lynch, J.D.; Asper, E.D.; Odell, D.K.
1991. Medical
findings of a mass stranding of pilot whales (Globicephala macrorhynchus) in
Florida. In: Marine Mammal strandings in the
United States, Proceedings of the Second Marine Mammal Stranding Workshop,
Miami, Fl. Dec. 3-5, 1987. Reynolds, J.E. and D.K. Odell (eds). NOAA Tech. Rep.
NMFS 98.
ABSTRACT: A pod of at least thirty-three short-finned pilot whales (Globicephala macrorhynchus) stranded on
Marco
Island
on the southwest coast of
Florida
on 23 July 1986. Because the animals
were already being returned to the
Gulf of Mexico
by another response group at the time we arrived, our initial examination was
limited to blood work on either live individuals and post-mortems on six of
eight dead individuals. The remainder of
the live individuals, some of which were marked for future identification with
plastic tags and by notching dorsal fins, headed north in the Gulf after
regrouping at the mouth of the Marco River. On 9 August 1986 the apparent remnants of the pod were found stranded
near
Key West,
Fl. On this date, 10 of 17 animals found
were dead. Surviving animals were
transported to Sea World of Florida from
Key
West
and were sampled for complete blood counts and
serum chemistries before therapy began. All of the individuals sampled from the incidents on 24 July and 9
August showed physical, clinical pathological or histological evidence of
illness. None of the individuals survived longer than two weeks. Physical
abnormalities noted in the live whales included increased respiratory rate,
difficult breathing, and elevated heart rate. Clinical pathologic abnormalities included elevated hemoglobin levels
and elevated plasma fibrinogen, leucopoenia, leukocyte left shift, hyperglycemia,
elevated serum creatinine, elevated serum bilirubin, decreased alkaline
phosphatase, elevated lactic dehydrogenase, elevated liver enzymes,
hypocalcemia and hypophosphatemia.
These findings suggest
that the majority of whales sampled in this mass stranding were clinically
ill. Stranded individuals should be
examined for illness by common diagnostic procedures such as blood counts,
serum chemistries and necropsy to determine the extent of illness in stranded
whales.
Waring, G.T.; Gerrior, P.T.; Payne, P.M.; Parry, B.L.; Nicolas, J.
R.
1990. Incidental takes of marine mammals in
foreign fishery activities off the northeast United States, 1977-1988. Fish. Bull.
88:347-360.
ABSTRACT: Fishery observers aboard foreign commercial fishing vessels collected information on the incidental catch of marine mammals in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) off the northeastern United States since March 1977. Observer coverage on foreign vessels was 25-35% during 1977-82. and increased to 58%, 86%, 95%. 98%, 100%, and 100%, respectively, in 1983-88. During 1981-88, observers have covered most joint venture
fishing operations. During 1977-88, observers reported 538 marine mammals captured incidental to direct and joint-venture fishing activities. Eight cetacean species and
three unidentified baleen whales were caught, principally in the fisheries for Atlantic mackerel Scomber scombrus, and squid Illex illecebrosus and Loligo pealei. Pilot whales Globicephala spp. (297/538) and common dolphins Delphinus delphis (203/538) comprised 93% of the catch. Chi-square tests indicate that significant
differences in diel rates of capture occurred between the two species. The number of Globicephala spp. captured at night (2000-0400 h) in the Atlantic mackerel fishery was significantly less (x2 = 8.28, P<0.03) than the number caught during day (0800-1600 h) or dawn/dusk (16002000
h. 0400-0800 h). The number of D. delphis captured during daylight in the Loligo squid fishery was significantly less (x2 = 44.48, P < 0.001) than the number caught at night or dawn/dusk. A minke whale B. acutorostrata (released alive) and individuals of two endangered species, a humpback whale Megaptera novaeangliae (released alive) and a right whale Eubalaena glacialis, were also captured incidental to fishing activity. During December 1986 February 1988, observers collected whole, dead, non-endangered mammals for detailed shore side examination. Trawl contents at the time of capture and subsequent analysis of mammal stomach contents suggest that L. pealei is a major component of the mid-shelf and shelf-edge diet of common dolphins and pilot whales. Further, pilot whales, considered principally as teuthophagous, were observed to selectively feed on mackerel while on the Continental Shelf.
Waring, G.T.; Josephson, E.; Fairfield-Walsh, C.P.; Maze-Foley, K.
(eds.), 2007.
U.S.
Atlantic and
Gulf of Mexico
Marine Mammal
Stock Assessment
s – 2007. NOAA Tech. Memo.
NMFS-NE 205.
SUMMARY: The Marine Mammal Protection Act requires that an annual stock assessment
report for each stock of marine mammal that occurs in waters under
USA
jurisdiction, be prepared by the National Marine Fisheries Service and the US
Fish and Wildlife Service in regional Scientific Review Groups. The Scientific
Review Groups are a broad representation marine mammal and fisheries scientists
and members of the commercial fishing industry mandated to review the marine
mammal stock assessment and provide advice to the NOAA Assistant Administrator
of Fisheries. The reports are available on the Federal Register for public
review before final publication.
Weilgart,
L.S.; Whitehead, H.
1990. Vocalizations of the
North
Atlantic
pilot whale (Globicephala
melas) as related to behavioral contexts. Behav. Ecol. Sociobiol.
26:399-402.
ABSTRACT: Vocalizations of free-ranging
North Atlantic
pilot whales were studied in different
behavioral contexts to gain insight into the function and biological
significance of different sound types. Simple whistles (with no frequency
inflections) were heard more frequently when whales were "milling," a
restful behavior type. During "surface active" behavior, energetic,
often coordinated activity probably representing feeding, many sound types,
especially complex whistles (with more frequency inflections) and pulsed
sounds, occurred with greater frequency than when this behavior was absent.
Greater numbers of most whistle types were produced when whales were spread
over a larger area and when more subgroups were present. Thus, in pilot whales,
there is a significant relationship between their sounds and their behavior,
with vocalizations possibly serving to maintain contact and coordinate
movements of the herd.
Weir, C.; Pollock, C.; Cronin, C.;
Taylor, S.
2001. Cetaceans of the Atlantic Frontier, north
and west of
Scotland.
Continent. Shelf Res. 21(8-10):1047-1071.
ABSTRACT: Surveys carried out to the north and west of
Scotland
have recorded 15 species of cetacean between 1979 and 1998. These were fin
whale (Balaenoptera physalus), sei whale (B. borealis), minke whale (B. acutorostrata), humpback whale (Megaptera
novaeangliae), sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus), northern bottlenose whale (Hyperoodon ampullatus), Sowerby's beaked
whale (Mesoplodon bidens), killer whale (Orcinus orca), long-finned pilot whale (Globicephala melas), Atlantic
white-sided dolphin (Lagenorhynchus acutus), white-beaked dolphin
(L. albirostris), Risso's dolphin (Grampus griseus), bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus), common dolphin (Delphinus
delphis) and harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena). Atlantic
white-sided dolphin was the most abundant species in the region with a total of
6317 animals recorded. Harbour porpoise was the most frequently sighted
cetacean species. The geographical distribution of sightings indicate that
cetacean species have varying ecological requirements, with species such as
sperm whale, pilot whale and white-sided dolphin favoring deep water off the
continental shelf edge, while minke whale, white-beaked dolphin and harbour
porpoise were apparently limited to the continental shelf. The diversity of
species recorded in the region suggests that the Atlantic Frontier is an
important habitat for cetaceans.
Weir,
C.
R. 2008.
Short-finned pilot whales (Globicephala
macrorhynchus) respond to an air gun ramp-up procedure off
Gabon.
Aq. Mammal. 34(3):349-354.
ABSTRACT:The
ramp-upis a standard procedure
within the offshore geophysical industry for mitigating the potential impacts
of seismic air gun sound on marine mammals. However, the efficiency of the
ramp-up as a mitigating procedure is poorly documented. In March 2008, a pod of
15 short-finned pilot whales (Globicephala macrorhynchus) was monitored
before, throughout, and following a 30-min ramp-up procedure during a 2-D
seismic survey off
Gabon.
No change in behaviour was apparent during the initial period of the ramp-up.
However, 10 min into the ramp-up procedure (at air-gun volume of 940 cu3), the
nearest whale subgroup turned sharply away from the air-guns. Subsequent
behaviour included milling, tail slapping, and a 180° change of course to
travel in the opposite direction from the seismic vessel. The observation
described here suggests that pilot whales did initially demonstrate an
avoidance response to the ramp-up. However, the movement away from the source
was limited in time and space. Recommendations are made for further research
into the efficiency of the ramp-up procedure for marine mammal mitigation.
Weisbrod,
A.V.; Shea, D.; Moore, M.J.; Stegeman, J.J.
2001. Species, tissue and gender-related
organochlorine bioaccumulation in white-sided dolphins, pilot whales and their
common prey in the
Northwest Atlantic. Mar. Environ. Res. 51:29-50.
ABSTRACT: Organochlorine
concentrations were measured in white-sided dolphins, pilot whales, and their
prey from the
Gulf
of
Maine
and used to
identify species, tissue, and gender differences, and trophic transfer trends,
in bioaccumulation. Polychlorinated biphenyl concentrations ([PCB]) in dolphin
blubber (13.7.1 mg/g fresh wt.) were twice those in pilot whales, but pesticide
concentrations (20.13 mg/g fresh) were similar between species. 4,40-DDE,
trans-non-achlor, Cl6(153) and Cl6(138) concentrations were highest. Skin
tissues had more recalcitrant Organo- chlorines than the internal organs. Male
dolphins bio-accumulated higher concentrations of nonmetabolizable PCBs and
hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) isomers, whereas pilot whales had no gender-related
differences in bioaccumulation. Pilot whales, mackerel, and herring had
proportionately higher concentrations of DDTs, whereas [PCB] were higher in
dolphins and squid. Although these odontocetes feed at the same trophic level
and store a similar suite of contaminants, dolphins bio-accumulated higher and
potentially hazardous 4,40-DDE and PCB concentrations from food in their more
geographically restricted range.
Weller, D.W.; Würsig, B.; Whitehead, H.; Norris, J.C.; Lynn, S.K.; Davis, R.W.; Clauss, N.; Brown, P.
1996. Observations of an interaction between sperm
whales and short-finned pilot whales in the Gulf of Mexico. Mar. Mamm. Sci., 12(4):588-594.
SUMMARY: On 24 August 1994 an unusual interaction
between short-finned pilot whales (Globicephala macrorhynchus) and sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) was
observed during a study of acoustic and surface behavior of sperm whales in the
north central Gulf of Mexico (28”43.20’N, 88”44.13’W). Authors report here on the defensive reactions
of sperm whales to the presence of pilot whales.
Werth,
A.
2000. A kinematic study of suction feeding and
associated behavior in the long-finned pilot whale, Globicephala melas (Traill). Mar. Mamm. Sci. 16(2):299–314.
ABSTRACT:
Analysis of videotaped feeding sequences provides novel documentation of
suction feeding in captive juvenile long-finned pilot whales (Globicephala melas). Swimming and
stationary whales were videotaped while feeding at the surface, mid-water, and
bottom. The ingestion sequence includes a preparatory phase with partial gape
followed by jaw opening and rapid hyoid depression to suck in prey at a mean
distance of 14 cm (duration 90 msec), although prey were taken from much
greater distances. Depression and retraction of the large, piston-like tongue
generate negative intraoral pressures for prey capture and ingestion. Food was
normally ingested without grasping by teeth yet was manipulated with lingual,
hyoid, and mandibular movement for realignment; suction was then used to
transport prey into the oropharynx. Whales frequently rolled or inverted before
taking prey, presumably to avoid grasping and repositioning. Preys were sucked
off the bottom or sides of the pool without direct contact; lateral suction was
used to ingest items from the sides of the mouth.
Whitehead,
H.
1998. Cultural selection and genetic diversity
in matrilineal whales. Science 282:1708-1711.
ABSTRACT: Low
diversities of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) have recently been found in four
species of matrilineal whale. No satisfactory explanation for this apparent
anomaly has been previously suggested. Culture seems to be an important part of
the lives of matrilineal whales. The selection of matrilineal transmitted
cultural traits, upon which neutral mtDNA alleles “hitchhike,” has the
potential to strongly reduce genetic variation in whale species. Thus, in
contrast to other nonhuman mammals, culture may be an important evolutionary
force for the matrilineal whales.
Whitehead, H.;
Ottensmeyer,
C.A.
2003. Behavioural evidence for social units in
long-finned pilot whales.
Can.
J. Zool. 81(8):1327-1338.
ABSTRACT: In general, mammal species
show geographic or social dispersal by one or both sexes. Long-term behavioural
observations and genetic evidence have confirmed that fish-eating resident killer whales, Orcinus orca, are a rare exception. Female and male
offspring travel with their mothers for their whole lives: this is natal group
philopatry. It is suspected that pilot whales, Globicephala spp., also
follow this social pattern, but longitudinal data on the social structure of
live long-finned pilot whales, Globicephala melas, are rare. We observed G. melas through July and August of 1998–2000 off northern
Nova Scotia,
Canada . Estimated group sizes ranged
from 2 to 135 (mean = 20, SD = 17, median = 15, n = 249). We
distinguished 322 individuals on the basis of distinctive marks on the dorsal
fin, with estimated mark rates of 0.336 (proportion) (SE = 0.041) and 0.352
(mean of estimates) (SE = 0.036). Permutation testing rejected the null
hypothesis of random association between individuals (p < 0.0005). The
best fit model of the standardized lagged association rate suggests short-term
associations of individuals over hours to days and long-term associations with
a subset of those individuals over years. When scaled according to mark rate,
sets of long-term associate’s average approximately 11–12 individuals, a much
lower estimate than that presented previously from drive-fishery data from the
Faroe Islands. Genetic sampling of behaviorally studied
individuals is recommended.
Zabow,
G.; Butterworth, D.S.
1995. Possible implications of cohesive social structure
for the dynamics and sustainable yields of cetacean populations - some exploratory
calculations. Rep. Int. Whal. Comm. 45:391-396.
ABSTRACT: An exploratory numerical investigation of the effects of
exploitation on cetacean populations is undertaken to determine likely
differences in dynamics between populations exhibiting cohesive social
structures and ones in which such grouping either does not occur or is not
pertinent given the exploitation pattern. A model with groups, each of
which is age-structured, is developed, in which small groups of younger animals
split from their parent groups once these exceed a certain size. Per capita growth rates are assumed to be
less for these smaller groups, under the hypothesis (based on analogy with
large land-based mammals) that such groups are less successful in protecting
their young from predators. This effect,
coupled to an exploitation pattern which removes only the larger group, does
not lead to a lesser sustainable yield than could be taken from an “equivalent”
homogeneous population, but the differences only a few percent for the set of
parameter values investigated. The
length distributions of animals captured also differ little. An interesting feature of the group’s model
is an approach to equilibrium levels under exploitation marked by long lasting
oscillations of not inconsiderable amplitude and duration. While a more exhaustive evaluation of the
hypothesis investigated here could be undertaken, the development and analysis
of alternative ideas of how group structure might impact population dynamics
would seem to have a higher priority.
Zachariassen,
P.
1993. Pilot whale catches in
Faroe
Islands
1709-1992. Rep. Int. Whal. Comm. (Special Issue) 14:69-88.
SUMMARY: This
paper provides statistical analysis of pilot whale catches in the
Faroe Islands
for the period 1709-1992. A total of 1,629 schools were taken involving
240,721 pilot whales, resulting in yearly averages of 5.74 schools and 848
pilot whales.
